NEWS RELEASE: August 7, 2024
Contact:
Amanda Mowry, Home Solutions Manager
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
(605) 348-9196
am****@bl***************.org
Rapid City man finds a house to call his home with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
Rapid City, SD – Aug. 7, 2024. Originally from Nebraska, Gavin has been living in Rapid City for five years and is employed as a custodian at Rapid City public schools. He has been living with his grandparents who both participated in helping to build Gavin’s home. After more than two years of anticipation, his home dedication is Aug. 7.
Like many working SD residents, Gavin had found himself in a tough spot. He was making just slightly too much money to qualify for government assistance and too little to qualify for a traditional home loan.
In South Dakota:
- 1 in 11 households spend more than half of their income on housing.
- Lower-income households are especially likely to have unaffordable housing costs, requiring more than 30% of their income.
- 44% of homeowners earning less than $50,000 per year and pay over 30% of their income on housing.
- 23 % of homeowners earning less than $50,000 per year and pay over 50% of their income on housing.
“This is a new chapter in my life,” he said. “It’s an exciting step that takes me one step closer to fulfillment in life.” Obtaining his forever home was a two-year process for Gavin, who put in 250 hours of sweat equity by building on his home and others and taking finance and home repair classes. “It’s been a roller coaster, but in a good way,” he said. “It was the anticipation of next steps and owning my own home.”
“Having my own home will give me a constant in life and keep me grounded,” he said. “For anyone finding themselves in a tough spot, this group [Habitat] is a good place to go.”
A home dedication is the culminating event in the life of a Black Hills Area Habitat partner family on their journey to homeownership. To get to this point, they had to meet income requirements, demonstrate need, and each adult family member completes 250 hours of sweat equity, which includes volunteering time on construction sites, in a ReStore location, and attending required financial and homeownership classes. They then pay off their affordable mortgages with monthly housing expenses (mortgage, real estate taxes, and homeowners’ insurance) that do not exceed 30% of their gross income.
Funding for Gavin’s home came from affordable housing organizations in addition to Black Hills Area Habitat funding. SDHDA Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) grant for down payment assistance awarded to (Habitat) provided an additional down payment grant. GROW South Dakota funds were also utilized for the purchase of Gavin’s home.
In addition to these supporting programs, Habitat relies on individual donors along with faith communities, foundations, and corporations who each provide layers of financial support that ensure homes are affordable for every future homeowner. The gap between what homes cost, their market value, and what many people can afford is only growing, and Habitat needs more partnerships to expand and assist increasing numbers of people in need of affordable homeownership.
“We are really working hard to ensure affordable home ownership is accessible by as many as possible,” said Amanda Mowry, Home Solutions Manager. “In Pennington County, a family of 4 can earn up to $71,900 per year and potentially qualify for a Habitat home.”
Learn about the Black Hills Habitat for Humanity homeownership program and download an application at https://www.blackhillshabitat.org/homeownership/ or by contacting Amanda at am****@bl***************.org.
About Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
A nonprofit Christian housing organization dedicated to creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live, Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity (BHAHFH) brings together people with resources and people in need of a hand up to build and repair simple, decent, affordable homes. BHAHFH has served over 340 families locally and globally since 1990. BHAHFH ReStore helps raise funds through items donated and sold to serve additional families in the Black Hills area. Call 348-9196 for store and donation hours. For more information, visit www.blackhillshabitat.org or call 348-9196. Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity is a United Way member agency.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand-up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.