NEWS RELEASE: Feb. 21, 2025
Contact:
Amanda Mowry, Home Solutions Manager
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
(605) 348-9196
am****@***************at.org
A Second Affordable Home is Sold as a Result of the Partnership between the Diocese of Rapid City and Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
Rapid City, SD – Feb. 21, 2025. The second of four homes on the corner of N. Spruce St. and E. Madison sold to Homeownership program participant, Darshann, today. The homes are the outcome of a partnership between Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity (BHAHFH) and Catholics Building on Faith to build affordable housing in Rapid City.
The home has been purchased by Darshann, and for her, represents the fulfillment of an intention she set three years ago. In 2022, Darshann had a friend who was participating in the Homeownership program and suggested Darshann apply. Pregnant at the time, Darshann decided to wait until after the birth of daughter and the newborn days were behind her before she applied. The following year, she followed through with applying and was approved. Leading up to today, Darshann was fulfilling the program requirements while her home was being built. Darshann was surprised at how much she enjoyed the educational classes, commenting “I didn’t know anything like that was offered to the community. I would definitely recommend the Homeownership program to anyone contemplating purchasing a home”. On February 21, 2025, Darshann and her children celebrated the purchase of their home with a Habitat Home Dedication.
In November of 2023, fifteen Catholic parishes embarked on a mission to raise $450,000 and provide volunteer support to partner with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity to construct four homes in Rapid City. In addition to Catholics Building on Faith, down payment assistance was provided by South Dakota Housing Development Authority Housing Opportunity Fund and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Housing Improvement Program.
- Blessed Sacrament
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Immaculate Conception
- Our Lady of the Black Hills, Piedmont
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Keystone
- Rapid City Newman Center
- Rapid City Catholic School System
- Anthony of Padua, Hot Springs
- Isaac Jogues
- James, Edgemont
- John the Baptist, Custer
- John the Evangelist, New Underwood
- Michael, Hermosa
- Rose of Lima, Hill City
- Therese the Little Flower
To provide long-term affordable mortgages, Habitat relies on individual donors along with faith communities, foundations, and corporations who each provide layers of financial support. The gap between what homes cost, their market value, and what many people can afford is at times up to $100,000 per home, as a result Habitat seeks to expand its funding partnerships and assist increasing numbers of employed people in need of affordable homeownership.
“The opportunity made available through the Homeownership program is unmatched! Anyone considering purchasing a home should look into it”, Amanda Mowry, Home Solutions Manager, stated. 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****@***************at.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.