Rapid City, SD – 2024. Richard, a single father of two girls, is finally obtaining a dream come true – a house for his family to call home in Sturgis.
A few years ago, Richard’s apartment property manager suggested that he might get his own house through Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity. Back then, Richard didn’t think he could do it. Working as a cook for two different jobs and juggling parenting duties was all-consuming. A few years passed, and Richard realized he really wanted a home for himself and his two daughters. He put in his Habitat application, and about fifteen months later, he and his family were watching their new home being built. While the house was being built, Richard saved money, put in his 250 hours of sweat equity working on his and other partner families’ homes, and attended the required classes in home maintenance and finance. Richard continues to volunteer for Habitat even though he has completed his required hours.
“I am so thankful and grateful that this program exists. It gives people a lot of hope,” Richard said, “as my life progresses, and my girls grow up, I’d still donate my time because home ownership puts your life on a whole new avenue. You’re putting down roots. If you’re renting, you’re stretching out branches, but you have no roots. You can never reach such a level unless you have a home of your own.”
To qualify for the Habitat homeowner program, Richard proved that he had a need for housing. He proved he met the income eligibility for a home loan. He was willing to put in the 250 hours of sweat equity, contributing to the construction of his home as well as the homes of other Habitat Partner Families. And he was willing to participate in the required educational programs on financial management and home maintenance.