NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Scott Engmann, Executive Director
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
(605) 348-9196
scott@blackhillshabitat.org
www.blackhillshabitat.org
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity receives $30,000 grant from Wells Fargo
to expand access to affordable homes in the Black Hills region
RAPID CITY, SD (Sept. 14, 2023) –The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded $30,000 in grants to Black Hills Area Habitat to build two new homes in the Black Hills region. Black Hills Area Habitat is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding nationwide through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to help more low-to-moderate income families access affordable homes.
The grant to Black Hills Area Habitat, along with the support of Wells Fargo volunteers, will help build a home in Sturgis, SD and a home in Rapid City, SD. These affordable new homes provide the opportunity for qualifying Black Hills Area partner families to access home ownership with affordable mortgages. To qualify, applicants must show a need, meet income level requirements, and be willing to invest 250 hours of sweat equity into construction labor, home repair and budgeting classes. The Habitat process helps ensure a sustainable future for the new homeowners.
“Black Hills Area Habitat and its supporting partner Wells Fargo share a commitment to creating stronger communities,” said Scott Engmann, Black Hills Area Habitat executive director. “We are fortunate that through the Wells Fargo Foundation grant, we can help future Habitat homeowners achieve their lifelong dreams of affordable homeownership. Homeownership provides the sense of security and safety that so many families need today so they can focus on living productive and healthy lives.”
At least 1 in 11* South Dakota households spend more than half of their income on housing. The number of Black Hills area families who are struggling to afford rent is on the rise. For our partner families, this volunteer effort will take them one step closer to obtaining their dreams of home ownership.
On Sept. 12, Wells Fargo volunteers joined Black Hills Area Habitat to help build two partner family homes in Sturgis as part of the company’s Welcome Home initiative, where employees nationwide work locally to make an impact in housing affordability. Eight Wells Fargo volunteers came together with a partner family and more than 10 regular Habitat for Humanity volunteers to build interior walls, install windows, and clean up the property.
Wells Fargo’s funding is part of a $7.5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to build and repair more than 350 affordable homes nationwide.
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 350 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 found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in southern Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has 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.
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*Source: Learn more | Cost of Home | Cost of Home (habitat.org)