In its continuing effort to find families qualified to own nine new homes it is building in Lake Kennedy, Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads will hold an open house at the site this Saturday.

While the event is open to everyone, several area churches have been especially invited as part of Habitat’s Faith In Action initiative, said Carla Holmes, family services director with Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads.

“What we’re doing this Saturday is inviting several churches out in Suffolk to tell them what we look for as far as qualified families,” Holmes said. “We want them to look in their congregation and see if they have people who may be qualified.”

During the open house, from 10 a.m. to noon, visitors can tour finished homes and fill out applications to live in the homes. The BB&T Bank Bus will be on site, and people can come on board to obtain homeownership information and a free credit report.

The bus allows people to check financial information so they can expedite the application process.

“The process is not a difficult process,” Holmes said. She said people can fill out applications on site or bring completed applications.

Each of the homes is three to four bedrooms and has an average monthly payment from $650 to $750. Homes are sold with zero net interest, no closing costs and a minimum down payment.

To qualify, families must:

• Have a need for adequate shelter
• Show the ability to pay for a Habitat home (stable, steady income sufficient to cover a mortgage)
• Demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads in the form of 250 to 400 hours of “sweat equity”
• Have lived in South Hampton Roads (Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield and Virginia Beach) for at least one year

Saturday’s event will also offer face painting for kids.

No pre-registration is required for Saturday’s event, Holmes said.

For more information or to download an application, visit www.habitatshr.org.