NEWS RELEASE
Date: December 12, 2023

Contact:
Scott Engmann
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity
scott@blackhillshabitat.org
(605) 348-9196

Catholics Building on Faith take on affordable housing crisis with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity

Rapid City, SD, Dec. 12, 2023 – In an initiative first started by the Diocese of Rapid City, 15 Catholic Churches have entered into a two-year partnership with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity in which participating Catholic Churches will raise $450,000 over the next two years. The funds will go toward completing four new 3 bedroom townhomes being constructed at 726 East Madison St. in Rapid City that will be sold to qualifying Habitat partner applicants. In addition to fundraising, the Catholic community is joining in volunteering in the building process, which is expected to go through 2024. People of all walks of life and faiths are welcome to join the Catholics Building on Faith East Madison Village initiative.

The purpose is to provide much-needed relief to individuals and families struggling with housing insecurity by supporting the construction of affordable homes for ownership.

Bishop Peter Muhich, who was ordained bishop of Rapid City in July 2020, shares his encouragement, “All Catholics are invited to engage in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, which includes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving shelter to the homeless (Matt 25:31-46). I am happy to support this needed project and encourage your generous contributions.”

According to the Rapid City Strategic Housing Coalition’s 2022 Rapid City Housing Market Summary, Rapid City’s population is expected to grow with an anticipated 18.9% increase between 2020 and 2030. The result is an ongoing housing crisis at all levels – housing inventories are down, prices are up, and starting/middle wages do not support average rents or purchase prices. A total of 5,500 housing units, including homes and rentals, are needed by 2030 to meet growing population demands.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to build with the Catholic community in a way that will stir up faith and hope both for people giving and serving, as well as for our partner families who will work hard to achieve their new affordable homes,” said Scott Engmann, Executive Director of Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity. “It is impossible for Habitat homebuyers to afford the high cost of housing without our program, and Habitat depends on strong community partners to provide the support. In our 33 year history we have worked with a wide range of faith communities, and this marks a significant continuation of such partnerships that have been critical to our mission. We will need many more creative partnerships like this one to continue addressing the housing crisis in our region.”

Habitat designs mortgage payments at no more than 28 percent of a qualified homeowner partner’s income. Financial packages might include low- or zero-interest loans and forgivable loans to both build new homes and refurbish old ones. The East Madison Village founding gift of $250,000 from Steve & Jona Hilton began this initiative covering site acquisition, site preparation, design/engineering, and infrastructure. “We couldn’t do this work of providing decent, affordable housing options without the assistance and faithful help from individuals like the Hilton’s, who enjoy expressing their faith in such a practical way,” Engmann said.

The Catholic partnering idea is not unprecedented.

The partnership began in 2013-14, when five Catholic Churches of Rapid City partnered with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity to build two houses. Blessed Sacrament, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Therese, and Our Lady of the Black Hills worked together and hundreds of Catholics put their faith into action volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for adequate housing.

The expanded partnership now includes 15 Catholic Churches and will enable all of them to serve to help more families achieve affordable homeownership and enhance the community’s quality of life.

2023-2025 Participating Catholic Churches include:

1. Blessed Sacrament
2. Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
3. Immaculate Conception
4. Our Lady of the Black Hills, Piedmont
5. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Keystone
6. Rapid City Newman Center
7. Rapid City Catholic School System
8. Anthony of Padua, Hot Springs
9. Isaac Jogues
10. James, Edgemont
11. John the Baptist, Custer
12. John the Evangelist, New Underwood
13. Michael, Hermosa
14. Rose of Lima, Hill City
15. Therese the Little Flower

Learn more about Catholics Building on Faith at Building on Faith – Black Hills Habitat for Humanity.

About The Diocese of Rapid City 

The Diocese of Rapid City includes 83 Catholic Churches and 24,000 members across Western South Dakota. The Diocese of Rapid City, through the Holy Spirit, is called to attract and form intentional disciples who joyfully, boldly, and lovingly proclaim and live the mission of Jesus Christ, leading to eternal life.

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.