More DeKalb Countians are choosing to obtain a valid handgun carry permit.
According to the latest available records kept by the state, DeKalb County had a total of 1,462 handgun permit holders as of January 1st, 2011. That’s up 141 from 1,321 on January 1st, 2010 and an increase of 422 since January 1st, 2009.
Smithville Police Chief Randy Caplinger, who is also an authorized state handgun permit class instructor, said a lot of people are obtaining a handgun carry permit to make them feel more safe and secure. “A lot of people are concerned about protecting themselves now, especially in their homes. A lot of people are also concerned about taking the training, learning how to operate a weapon and to be comfortable with it. We get a lot of people who want to take the class just for the safety aspect of it.”
Caplinger said he has been teaching the class since his days with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “I teach the state authorized handgun permit class for anyone interested in obtaining a Tennessee handgun permit. I started teaching these classes in 1996 and continued to teach during my career with the Tennessee Department of Safety. After I retired with the THP, I continued teaching the classes.”
Handgun carry applicants must be at least 21 years of age and meet other conditions, according to Caplinger. “You cannot be a convicted felon. If you’re being treated for any type of drug or alcohol abuse; if you’re under any type of restraining order or other court order; or if you’ve been convicted of any type of spousal abuse, stalking, or sex crime it can and will keep you from getting a handgun carry permit. If you’ve had one DUI within five years or two DUI’s within ten years it can keep you from getting your handgun permit. If you’re being treated for any type of mental disorder or if you’re under any type of mental treatment you’re not allowed to apply for a handgun carry permit,” said Caplinger.
In order to obtain a valid handgun carry permit, Caplinger said you must complete a training course. “The first thing you have to do if you’re interested in obtaining a handgun carry permit in Tennessee is to attend one of the authorized classes at a school that is certified with the State of Tennessee Department of Safety handgun permit course. You can take up to an eight hour class, depending upon the instructor. Usually it’s a one day class which starts with classroom training following a certain curriculum that the state requires to make everyone aware of where they can and can’t carry the gun. The course then goes into the safety part on how to operate and carry the weapon. The class covers several different aspects. After the classroom part is completed, you go to the firing range and fire the weapon. After completing the course, you must apply for the Tennessee handgun permit. Just because you attend the school does not automatically grant you a permit. It only gives you the right to apply for the permit because you have had the mandatory training by taking the course,” said Caplinger
“Once you successfully complete the course, you’re given a certificate that you are to carry to any full service drivers license station in Tennessee. The ones closest to Smithville are in Cookeville, McMinnville, Lebanon, and Murfreesboro. You must present your handgun certificate, your certified birth certificate or valid passport and $115 before being able to make application for your permit. If your birth certificate is not certified, they will turn you down. You must present a certified birth certificate,” said Caplinger.
If you don’t have a copy of your birth certificate, Caplinger said you can obtain a copy at the health department. “You can go to your local health department and have a copy of your birth certificate printed. It will be certified. I think the charge is either seven or eight dollars. You can go on-line to the department of health in Nashville and order a copy of your birth certificate on-line with a credit or debit card or you can call the department of health by phone and use a debit or credit card and obtain it that way. It will be sent to you in the mail,” said Caplinger.
Once you obtain your handgun carry permit, Caplinger said its valid for four years before renewal. “Some people get confused because their drivers license are valid for five years. They (drivers licenses) expire on your birthday. Your gun permit expires on the date it was issued, which might not necessarily be close to your birthday. You will receive a notice in the mail to renew your gun permit. You’re never retested again. The only thing is you’ll have to go through a background check. The Department of Safety issues the background check to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.”
“Your permit renewal application is sent out four months prior to it expiring, “said Caplinger. “Once the Department of Safety sends out that notice, they enter your name with the TBI and the TBI will start a background check Once the background check is completed, if there’s nothing on your record to hold it up or any questions that arise, you will receive your notice in the mail. You can then send it into the state because it’s already been approved. That’s something new that the Department of Safety has started and its working. Two years ago if you renewed your handgun carry license, you were lucky to get it back within ninety days. Most people had to get an extension. Today, if a renewal goes through with no problems and everything is approved, you’re probably going to get it back within twenty days even though the Department of Safety tells us to tell everyone it will be ninety days,” said Caplinger.
Should you let your handgun carry permit expire, Caplinger said you have a six month grace period before having to retake the course. “If you wait beyond that six month grace period you have to go through that complete course and everything again. Once you get your permit for the first time and you keep it valid, your permit is good for four years. At the end of four years you never have to pay the $115 again but you have to pay $50 for the renewal fee every four years for the remainder of the time you keep the gun permit but you never have to go through the class again,” said Caplinger.
While Tennessee does not have a concealed carry law, Caplinger said he urges his students to be cautious about displaying their handguns. “By law, if you obtain your handgun carry permit you are legally allowed to carry your weapon in public if you wish. Some do. Some don’t. Instructors have different opinions. I do not recommend that anyone carry their handgun out in the open but it’s still up to the individual who has the permit.”
Caplinger adds that there are several places where a handgun is prohibited. “A good way to remember is that if you’re in or on any city, county, state, or federal property, building, school, or at any type of judicial proceeding, carrying a handgun is off limits. You are also prohibited from carrying a handgun into a restaurant that sells alcohol or a bar if you’re going to be drinking.”
Many people opposed to handgun carry laws have expressed concerns about more people in public with weapons, but Caplinger said it hasn’t been a problem here. “We don’t have a problem with most people (with handgun carry permits) because they’ve had the training. They understand what they can and can’t do. Most people understand that if a problem arises and they misuse that permit or that weapon, they can lose that permit just as easy as they got it. These people are good, everyday citizens that can pass the background checks. We’ve really had no problem with them. It was a concern when it started in 1996 (when handgun permits were first issued) but law enforcement understands that the people with these permits have had the training and know what should happen and what can happen, and how to handle a gun. It hasn’t been a problem,” concluded Caplinger.

A seatbelt may have saved the life of a 30 year old Smithville man or at least prevented him from suffering serious injuries after being involved in a three car crash on Highway 70 near Alexandria in January.
For choosing to buckle up, Brandyn Wright has received the “Saved by the Belt” Award from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
THP Sergeant Mark Dial and Trooper Dewaine Jennings presented the award to Wright on Saturday morning.
The award states “The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office commends Brandyn Wright for your lifesaving choice and for the strong example you provide to others on the importance of wearing safety belts. You are living proof that safety belts save lives.”
On January 6th, Wright was traveling east on Highway 70 toward Smithville in a 2000 Ford Focus when another vehicle traveling west tried to pass a car on a double yellow line. The vehicle that pulled out to pass struck Wright’s car nearly head-on and then hit the car it was trying to pass. Wright’s car spun around and came to rest facing north on the shoulder of the roadway. The car trying to pass broke into two pieces from the crash and the two occupants were ejected because they were not wearing their seatbelts.
THP officials say Wright’s decision to wear his seatbelt not only saved his life but also kept him from sustaining more serious injuries in what proved to be a very serious accident.

Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to improve and maintain your health, yet nearly two-thirds of Americans aren’t getting the activity they need. Consider taking up walking with friends or your family by participating in Walk across Tennessee, which is an eight-week program that will spark some friendly competitions in DeKalb County. Beginning Monday, April 4 teams of eight will compete to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, and other forms of exercise in their community. Biking or jogging teams can have a team of four. The miles walked are not literally across the state, but reported on a map posted at the UT Extension Office and Greenbrook Park.
Since everyone participates in a variety of sports, the Walk across Tennessee program also has an exercise conversion chart so that participants can count aerobics, swimming, weight lifting, etc. For example, 16 minutes of high intensity aerobics would equal one mile.
The Walk across Tennessee kickoff for DeKalb County is set for Monday, April 4 at Greenbrook Park at 5:30 P.M. “Teams will keep track of their miles and weekly results and team standings at the park, on the Walk Across TN website, facebook, and other places around the community. Teams can be composed of coworkers, teachers, students, neighbors, etc. While it would be great for teams to exercise together, this is not a requirement. This is an excellent team competition for the workplace and schools” said April Martin, DeKalb County Extension Agent
Many people are unaware of the positive benefits of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 problem in the United States. The risk of heart disease could be significantly reduced by regular exercise. According to the Center for Disease Control, the positive effects of physical activity are not limited to lowering the risk of heart disease. Not only does regular exercise help relieve stress and anxiety,” physically active people outlive inactive people. Participating in Walk across Tennessee DeKalb County is not only a great way to get involved with our community, it’s a healthy habit,” Martin stated.
To participate in Walk across Tennessee, first get a team of eight together. Biking and jogging teams are limited to four people. Choose a team captain and name your team. Team captains need to download up a captain’s packet, available at http://eteamz.active.com/WalkAcrossTennesseeDeKalbCounty/ in the handout section or at the DeKalb County Extension Office, 115 West Market St. Smithville, located right near the courthouse in Smithville. Each team member will need to complete a registration form which is included in the team captain’s packet or at the Walk across Tennessee website. “Competition kicks off on Monday, April 4, 5:30 P.M. at Greenbrook Park under pavilion one,” Martin said. “Come out and plan to have lots of fun.” For more information, call the Extension office at 597-4945 or visit the website.
All of the programs of the University of Tennessee are open to all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or disability.. .

DeKalb County grew 7.5% to a population of 18,723 according to 2010 census results released by the government on Wednesday. That’s an increase of 1,300 people from the 17,423 count in the 2000 census for DeKalb County.
The DeKalb County Hispanic population almost doubled going from 633 to 1,239
The cities of Smithville, Alexandria, and Dowelltown experienced some growth over the last ten years but Liberty’s population decreased.
2010 census figures show Smithville’s population at 4,530, an increase of 13.4%. That’s 536 more people than the 3,994 counted in the 2000 census.
Alexandria’s population is at 966, an 18.7% increase or 152 more people than the 2000 census count of 814
Dowelltown’s population count grew by 53 people from 302 to 355, an increase of 17.5%
Liberty’s population dropped from 367 to 310, a decrease of 57 people or 15.5%
The DeKalb County 2010 population breakdown by race is as follows compared to 2000:
White:
17,352 (2010)
16,653 (2000)
Black:
250 (2010)
250 (2000)
American Indian, Alaskan:
35 (2010)
48 (2000)
Asian:
49 (2010)
24 (2000)
Hawaiian, Pacific Islander
2 (2010)
3 (2000)
Other:
797 (2010)
282 (2000)
Multi-Racial:
238 (2010)
163 (2000)
Hispanic Origin:
1,239 (2010)
633 (2000)
The numbers for the 14-county Upper Cumberland region were tabulated by Upper Cumberland Development District analyst Henry Bowman, showing an overall growth in the area of 10.9 percent or 338,158 total residents.
Cumberland County saw a 19.8-percent jump in population, from 46,802 to 56,053.
Putnam County, with the largest population of any county in the Upper Cumberland at 72,321, grew by 16.1% from the 2000 census.
Numbers for other counties in the Upper Cumberland include: Cannon County, which saw a 7.6-percent increase to 13,801. Clay County saw a 1.4-percent decrease in population, falling to 7,861. DeKalb County grew 7.5 percent to a population of 18,723. Fentress County also saw an 8-percent increase and now stands at a population of 17,959.
Jackson County saw a 6-percent population increase and now stands at 11,638 residents. Macon County saw a 9.1-percent increase to 22,248. Overton County now has 22,083 residents, a 9.8-percent increase. Pickett saw a 2.7-percent increase to 5,077. Smith County saw a 8.2-percent increase and has a population of 19,166.
Van Buren County, meanwhile, saw a slight 0.7-percent increase to 5,548. Warren County saw a 4.1-percent increase to 39,839; and White County saw a 11.9 percent increase to 25,841.
The Tennessee population grew by 11.5% to 6,346,105 and the United States count increased by 9.7% to 308,745,538.

Several camps are available to 4-Hers this summer. 4-Hers in grades 4 – 6 can attend Junior Camp in Crossville this summer the week of June 20 – 24 at the Clyde M. York Center. 4-Hers can participate in swimming, playing sports, kayaking and canoeing, the rifle range, campfires, and making crafts. Cost of camp is $235 (cash or check) or $245 (credit card).
Junior High 4-H Adventure Camp is for grades 7th – 8th. This camp will be held May 31 – June 3 and is located in Crossville at the Clyde M. York 4-H Center. 4-Hers can participate in swimming, playing sports, kayaking and canoeing, the rifle range, campfires, and making crafts. They will also get to choose one special adventure to do while at camp (horseback riding, skeet shooting, aerial design, ziplining, hiking, or a day at the lake. Cost of camp is $245 (cash or check) or $255 (credit card).
4-H Electric Camp for 4-Hers in the 6th and 7th grades will be held June 28 – July 1 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Campers will enjoy “hands-on” learning centers such as making an electric lamp, riding in an electric vehicle, electrical safety, and energy conservation. Cost is $185 and includes meals, transportation, lodging, and a trip to Dollywood. Two partial scholarships will be awarded to the top two winning essays submitted to the office by April 29. The essay should be on “The Future of Electricity” and should be a minimum of 500 words. It can be hand written or typed.
4-H Line and Design Camp is for 4-Hers in grades 6th – 8th. The camp will be held July 12 – 14 at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. 4-Hers will participate in sewing, modeling, and fashion design classes and will get to make a memory board, a scarf, and lotions and lip gloss. The cost for this camp is $100 and does not include transportation. This camp is very limited in the number that can go, so 4-Hers are urged to submit their application and payment as soon as possible.
All applications for these camps and other information can be found at http://dekalb.tennessee.edu or at the University of Tennessee Extension Office located at 115 West Market Street in Smithville. Additional information can be found athttp://www.utextension.utk.edu/4H/ under the summer camps.
Questions can be answered by calling 615-597-4945.

Attorneys for a local family involved in a traffic accident with a DeKalb County School bus almost a year ago filed a circuit court lawsuit Tuesday seeking a total of one million dollars in damages against the bus driver Walter Phillips, individually; DeKalb County, and Phillips’ employer, the DeKalb County Board of Education.
Ashley Spivey is suing on behalf of herself and her minor children, Isaac Dyal and Alissa Dyal, asking for “a money judgment in favor of herself in the amount of $300,000; for a money judgment in favor of herself for loss of consortium in the amount of $100,000; for a money judgment in favor of her daughter Alissa Dyal, a minor, in the amount of $300,000; and for a money judgment in favor of her son, Isaac Dyal, a minor, in the amount of $300,000.”
Spivey, who is represented by Nashville attorneys Blair Durham and Ben Winters of Durham and Dread, PLC., also wants a jury to try the case.
The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, April 27th, 2010 near the school zone at the intersection of North Congress Boulevard and Smith Road in front of Northside Elementary School. Phillips and the eighteen students aboard his bus (#3) escaped injury. However, Kenny Waymon Dyal, Jr., Ashley LeAnn Spivey, Alissa Dyal, and Isaac Dyal, who were in the 1992 Chevy Blazer that struck the bus, were injured in the crash and taken to the hospital.
After conducting the investigation that day, Lieutenant Randy Maynard of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that bus # 3, driven by 81 year old Walter Phillips, had just left the school with the students and was on Smith Road, turning south on Highway 56 when a Chevy Blazer, driven by 23 year old Kenny Waymon Dyal, Jr. of Smithville, struck the bus. Dyal was traveling north on Highway 56 (North Congress Boulevard). The impact damaged the rear left side of the bus and detached the rear axle from the frame. The bus had to be towed away and the blazer was totaled.
Lieutenant Maynard said the three persons in the Blazer with Dyal were 23 year old Ashley LeAnn Spivey and their children, a two year old girl (Alissa Dyal) and a one year old boy (Isaac Dyal).
In the lawsuit, Spivey alleges that she and her children were passengers of the vehicle operated by Kenny Dyal, Jr. traveling north on North Congress Boulevard when Phillips, who was traveling westbound on Smith Road, turned left in front of Dyal’s vehicle, causing the collision.
Spivey claims that Phillips was negligent and violated state laws in that he “failed to yield the right of way; was not paying attention; failed to keep his vehicle under due and reasonable control; and was driving in a reckless manner without regard for the safety of the public in general and the plaintiffs in particular.”
The lawsuit further alleges that “DeKalb County and the DeKalb County Board of Education, employers of Phillips, are and should be vicariously liable to the Plaintiff for the acts and omissions of their employee pursuant to (state law)”
As a result of the accident, Ashley Spivey alleges that she and her two children have “sustained severe, permanent painful injuries from which they have incurred and shall continue to incur pain, suffering, emotional duress, and the loss of ability to participate in and enjoy the pleasures of life, for all of which they deserve to be compensated; and that they have incurred and shall continue to incur medical expenses for the treatment of these injuries, for all of which they deserve to be compensated.”

The three Smithville aldermen up for re-election will be challenged in this summer’s municipal election
Aldermen Shawn Jacobs, Aaron Meeks, and W.J. (Dub) White are seeking a new two year term in the city balloting on Tuesday, June 21st. All three were elected two years ago. Jacobs is completing his first term. Meeks served as alderman from 2003 to 2007 when he lost a bid for re-election. He ran again in 2009 and was elected. White served as alderman from 1993 to 2001. He served as alderman again from 2003 to 2007 when he lost a re-election bid. White ran again and was elected in 2009.
Others hoping to win a seat on the city council as aldermen this summer are Smithville attorney and former educator Gayla Hendrix and local businessmen Cordell Walker and Danny Washer.
All three are familiar faces on the political scene. Walker is a former Smithville alderman. Washer made a run for alderman in 2008 and Hendrix ran for state representative three years ago.
All six, Jacobs, Meeks, White, Hendrix, Walker, and Washer have qualified by petition with the DeKalb County Election Commission.
Three aldermen will be elected on Tuesday, June 21st. Each term is for two years. The terms of office for those elected will begin on July 1st.
Early voting for the Smithville Municipal Election will be June 1st through June 16th. Meanwhile, May 23rd is the voter registration deadline for the Smithville City Election.
Voters who don’t live in Smithville but own property in the city may vote in the municipal election under certain conditions.
The Smithville Charter allows Property Rights Voting. The property must be a minimum of
7500 square feet and the person owning the property must reside in DeKalb County. Proof of ownership and residence must be shown by the following means: (1) A certified copy of the deed and the execution of an affidavit that the person still owns this property and (2) A copy of the most recent DeKalb County real property tax notice, and (3) Proof of residence in DeKalb County. Property rights registrants are entitled to vote but not to hold any municipal office or serve on any municipal board or commission. Proof of ownership and registration form must be provided to the Election Commission office by the May 23rd registration deadline.
Meanwhile, Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley reminds voters who have moved since registering to vote that the election commission office needs your current address on file.
“While checking the names of registered voters on some of the petitions returned recently, we noticed some voters have moved but have not informed the election commission office of their change of address,” Stanley said. “Updating the record is a simple process. All the voter needs to do is fill out a change of address form, which is available at the election commission office. To see if you need to update your record, simply check the address on your voter registration card. If it is different than your current address, you need to update the information with the election commission.”
“Updating the address will make your voting experience go much easier and quicker.” Stanley said,” and will not slow down the line at the polling place during early voting or election day.”
For more information, you may contact the DeKalb County Election Commission Office which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The phone number is 615-597-4146.

A DeKalb County man has been arrested in connection with a recent Cannon County burglary in which over $10,000 worth of items were stolen.
Cannon County Sheriff’s Investigator Anthony Young said the burglary occurred on January 6th year at a home on Basham Ridge Road in Woodbury, according to a report on the Cannon Courier website.
Investigator Young arrested Matthew Allen Baker, 1022 Pine Grove Road, Smithville, on March 10.
“I received information in relation to the theft, and after a thorough investigation, determined Baker was allegedly one of the persons involved in the taking of the items,” Investigator Young said.
The case remains under investigation and an additional arrest is expected, Young said.
Among the items taken were gold jewelry, guns, knives, a 42-inch flat screen TV, tools, video games and a laptop computer.
In addition to charges of aggravated burglary, theft over $10,000 and criminal trespass, Baker incurred additional charges while he was being booked at the Cannon County Jail. Baker was arrested by DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies and transported to Cannon County.
During that process, Corrections Officer Albert Summers discovered within Baker’s personal property a black flashlight. Upon opening the flashlight, Summers observed that the batteries had been removed and replaced with a small plastic baggie. Inside of the baggie was a substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.
Additional charges of possession of a Schedule II drug and introducing contraband into a penal institution were levied against Baker.
Total bond was set at $30,000. Initial court date is May 3.

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons on Tuesday announced the state will soon issue new and improved driver licenses and identification cards. The new license and its updated security features will help combat document fraud and protect the identities of Tennesseans by using the latest credentialing technology. This is the first major revision of Tennessee driver licenses and ID cards since 2003.
“A top priority of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security is safeguarding the identity of Tennessee citizens to prevent identity theft and document fraud,” said Commissioner Gibbons. “The new cards will be the most secure our state has issued to date.”
All current Tennessee licenses and IDs will remain valid until the expiration date; at that time, license holders will apply for a newly-designed card. New card production began on a pilot basis on Tuesday, March 15 in Gallatin. The new cards will begin to roll out across the state starting at driver license stations in the four metropolitan areas (Davidson, Knox, Hamilton, and Shelby Counties) later this month. Statewide implementation of the new card is expected to be completed at all locations within four to six weeks.
“Tennessee driver licenses have not been updated in eight years, and the technology behind them is eight years old,” Gibbons explained. “These new cards utilize the latest technology. They are more secure and are designed to be more difficult to counterfeit, alter, or duplicate,” he stressed.
The driver license and ID cards include several upgraded design and security features, including:
·new banner showcasing Tennessee landmarks and icons;
·new background design;
·enlarged organ donor symbol, when authorized;
·multiple date of birth placements on front and back of the card;
·vertical format to distinguish driving privilege from identification only cards;
·digital portrait and signature, both stored in a permanent database, to easily verify identification;
·lamination, with a tamper resistant coating and holographic designs;
·machine-readable barcodes for law enforcement purposes; and
·applicable class, endorsements, and restrictions printed on back of the card.
“The existing licenses are still valid. There is no need for citizens to get a new license before their existing licenses expire,” stressed Driver Services Director Michael Hogan. “But anyone applying for a new license or renewing an existing license will receive the newly designed format,” he added.
To help protect identities and prevent document fraud, the state of Tennessee requires all new applicants for a driver license or identification card to present the following:
·proof of lawful status in the United States to include U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or authorized stay in the U.S.;
·proof of identity to include birth certificate, visa, or passport;
· verification of Social Security number with Social Security Administration; and
· proof of Tennessee residency.
Fees for the new driver license and ID will not change. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Driver Services Division annually issues 1.5 million licenses and ID cards to Tennesseans. For more information on the new driver license and ID card or to conduct business online, please visit http://www.tn.gov/safety/dlmain.htm.

Looking for an affordable opportunity to put your family in your own home?
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is now searching for their next partner family and has begun accepting applications for the fourth house to be built. The location of the next home is on Hayes Street in Smithville.
An Informational Meeting and Application Fair will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at 6 p.m. in the basement of the DeKalb County Courthouse in downtown Smithville. During the meeting, families will receive help in completing the application and will be given information about the Habitat Program.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may call the Habitat phone number 615-215-8181 and leave your name, address and phone number and a Habitat volunteer will contact you to provide additional information and perhaps mail an application to you.
To be considered, completed and signed applications must be postmarked by Thursday, April 21, 2011.
The purpose of Habitat is to build homes with families and sell the houses at no profit and no interest to families who could not otherwise afford a house. This Christian ministry is financed through private donations and utilizes volunteer labor and donated materials, if possible.
Habitat guidelines are basically 3 major qualifications: need for housing, ability to pay and a willingness to partner. In addition, partner families must have been a resident of DeKalb County for at least 1 year prior to March 2011 and must be a US citizen or have permanent resident alien status.
A Family Selection Committee will consider applications, based on those major qualifications as well as some other general guidelines as follows:
“Must have a housing need: For example, no indoor plumbing, poor heating, leaks in the roof, overcrowding ( 3 to a bedroom), unsafe or unsanitary conditions
“Ability to Pay
“For a family of 4, the maximum allowable annual income is $25,520, which is 55% of the median income for families in our community. If you are age 60 or have a special needs household member, the maximum allowable annual income level for a family of 4 is $27,840. The income levels vary according to family size. You may get detailed information specific to your family at the informational meeting on March 29.
“With your permission, we will verify employment and other income, verify checking and savings account balances, get a statement from your current landlord, have a credit check completed and and a criminal background check.
“Willingness to Partner
“If approved for a Habitat house, we will ask that you be willing to join in programs to learn and practice budgeting, home repair and home maintenance.
“If approved for a Habitat house, we require that all adult household members ( 18 years and older) be willing to work a combined total of 500 hours of “sweat equity”, with 100 of those hours completed before construction. Children who are members of the household may help with “sweat equity” by improving their grades in school and having good attendance at school.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is very anxious to help another family have their dream of home ownership become a reality.