Habitat for Humanity on track for three homes to be built in Sturgis in 2023

B y t i M P otts

Black Hills Pioneer STURGIS — Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity (BHAHFH) is on track to build three houses in Sturgis in 2023 that will assist families in need of affordable home ownership. Sabrina Whitford will be the new owner of the home currently being constructed, that likely will be done this summer.

“I prayed for a home for a long time and have been working for it, and saving for it, but when it came time to ask my bank, it just was not an option quite yet, so I sent my application to Habitat and they accepted me,” said Whitford. “Not many words can describe what it means to me and my family, we are so blessed and thankful.”

Whitford said she encourages other people to consider Habitat as a way to get a home. “Just keep believing in miracles and don’t give up.”

The Mission statement of Habitat for Humanity is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. “I think it is really important for people to understand that Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity was started by church leaders and we are a deeply committed Christian organization that is motivated by the love of Christ, so we show that love through housing. We show it through coming along side people that otherwise would be rejected for a home ownership opportunity. We move from a Christian conviction.”

Habitat for Humanity is a faith-based non-profit organization that depends highly on access to affordable land to build on, capital to purchase materials, and volunteers who can help reduce the hard costs of the construction of the home. The last piece is finding qualified applicants, people who are earning less than 80% of area median income, are willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity, and have the ability to make an affordable mortgage payment each month. After applicants are qualified, they work through the program requirements including courses that cover finances, budgeting and home maintenance and spend hours on the construction site learning basic construction skills. It is a combination of those things and when most of the pieces came together, the project in Sturgis started to move forward.

“When there is a real obvious need, that certainly puts a fire under us to go out and do everything we can on our end to find solutions,” said Scott Engmann, executive director of Black Hills Habitat for Humanity.

“Most recently in the Sturgis area, the impetus was two families from Sturgis, who work in Sturgis, that needed a place to live and raise their families, they qualified and that got us focused in Sturgis. We started reaching out to land owners and identified an affordable lot,” said Engmann. “As word spread we learned of an additional lot, with the idea we could possibly build two homes there.”

Engmann talked about the impact of new homes in Sturgis. The three homes that will be built could add as much as $600,000 in taxable real estate value, while saving the families considerable money on mortgage payments. The house going up in Sturgis is approximately 30% complete, all dried in, walls up inside while electrical, plumbing and mechanicals are installed. The planned completion date is mid-summer. On the other lot, the infrastructure should start early this spring with the extension of a public sewer line and water lines into the lot Habitat has constructed and remodeled over 210 affordable homes in the Black Hills area since the first home was dedicated in January 1992. The current Sturgis projects represent Habitat homes four, five, and six in the city of Sturgis.

Rapid City and Box Elder have been the primary areas where Habitat has been focused and building homes for the past 32 years. “The reason is those areas have had doors that have opened for us with land, applicants, volunteers

Belle Fourche Country Club is a 9 hole facility that is open to the public. Only 20 minutes from Deadwood on the edge of the Northern Hills, BFCC prides itself on quality turf conditions and quality customer service. Forget something? The golf shop is fully stocked with the best brands in the game such as Titleist, Taylormade and Srixon. Come out to Belle Fourche Country Club for an enjoyable round of golf. To make a tee time visit BelleFourcheCountryClub.com or call directly at 605-892-3472.

Butte Electric Cooperative

Butte Electric Cooperative is celebrating 80 years in business as a member-owned electricity utility, providing innovative products and services to over 5,000 members in Butte, Lawrence, and Meade counties.

The electric company demonstrates its commitment to its members and communities through its mission to continually improve customer services; to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electricity; and to continue to lead in developing communities for the benefit of its members.

Headquarters is located in Newell at 109 S. Dartmouth, with a Member Services Center in Spearfish at 1940 North Ave., Ste. 1. For more info., call 456-2494 or visit butteelectric.com.

DEADWOOD RECREATION & AQUATICS CENTER

Deadwood Recreation & Aquatics Center has everything you need for fitness and fun! Our facility features a zero entry pool, lap pool, indoor walking/running track, racquetball/squash court, cardiovascular equipment, weights, basketball court, sauna, and a new hot tub.

We offer affordable memberships starting at a one-month minimum, with special pricing for families, single adults, children, seniors, and high school students.

and fundraising capacity,” said Engmann. The organization has built two homes in Spearfish, three previous homes in Sturgis, one in Belle Fourche, three in Custer and one in Hot Springs along with dozens of home repairs and improvements throughout the region.

Engmann said finding affordable lots to build on is a challenge.

“What works really well is having a local realtor and local community members who are connector people - they

Deadwood Recreation Center is located at 105 Sherman Street. For more information, visit our page on the City of Deadwood site at www. cityofdeadwood.com or call 605-578-3729.

First Gold Gaming Resort

First Gold Gaming Resort – “It’s Where Deadwood Begins!”

We invite you to come in and play in one of our 9 casinos filled with all your favorite slot machines. Be sure and sign up for your Gold Club Card and start earning cash back. Stay in one of our deluxe hotel rooms or luxury suites at either Travelodge by Wyndham or First Gold Gaming Resort. Enjoy dining in our Horseshoe Restaurant, serving USDA Choice Prime Rib daily and breakfast all day. We offer free on-site covered parking, free Wi-Fi and free beer, wine or cocktails while playing.

270 Main Street. Deadwood SD 57732 www.firstgold.com, 605-578-9777, 800-274-1876

Sturgis Area Chamber Of Commerce

The Sturgis Chamber actively supports business, agriculture, and tourism in the Sturgis area. Contact our office at (605) 347-2556 or visit 2040 Junction Avenue to learn about becoming a member and how we can help your business succeed. We also offer funding, involvement, and educational opportunities! Visit our website at SturgisAreaChamber.com to learn why Sturgis is one of the best communities in the Black Hills.

ZEEB'S GREENHOUSE

This is the 12th year in business for Zeeb’s Greenhouse. Zeeb’s Greenhouse is the perfect place to find all your planting needs. They carry a large selection of SD grown annuals, perennials and bedding plants to spruce up your landscape; vegetables and herbs for your garden and a variety of hanging baskets and planters. Zeeb’s is open seasonly 7 days a week 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. They are located at 3157 Venture Court in Spearfish.

Northern Hills Training Center provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1976, a group of families came together with the desire to create a community in Spearfish to provide residential and work opportunities for people who might otherwise be living in an institution.

Northern Hills Training Center started with 6 original residents in a 4 bedroom home and has now grown to 12 residential programs (including 6 NHTC owned homes), a workshop crew putting out 5000+ stakes a day for local contractors, 3 public businesses, and 300+ people living and working with Northern Hills Training Center, enhancing lives, achieving dreams and making a positive difference every day!

For more information or to join our team please visit nhtc.org.

Habitat For Humanity

many times know who may be considering selling and if BHAHFH can get in on early conversations, many times people want to help”, said Engmann.

of construction related work on the job site of their home or another home,” said Engmann. The individuals get hands on experience in building an entire home. A mortgage is crafted at 30% or less of the future homeowner’s monthly income.

Spearfish Physical Therapy is an independent outpatient physical therapy clinic in the northern Black Hills. Founded in 2017, by Dr. Brandie Rainboth - DPT, OCS, Spearfish Physical Therapy is a welcoming space for patients of all diagnoses to recover and heal. Dr. Rainboth is an expert in orthopedic physical therapy, with a strong emphasis in manual, hands-on techniques. They specialize in the treatment of muscle and joint pain, and recovery from injury or surgery.

Dr. Brandie Rainboth has her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and is Board Certified in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Visit spearfishpt.com or call 605-559-0381.

If someone is looking for opportunities with Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing, the first step is to go on the website, blackhillshabitat.org to learn about the program, and then, call (605) 348-9196 for next step information which includes attending an information meeting about the program. The complete process to home ownership normally takes between 12 to 18 months.

“This is not a giveaway, everyone has to buy their home, and complete the program requirements, including 250 hours of sweat equity per adult, which includes consumer credit counseling, Love, Inc. programs, a home maintenance course and 100 hours

Habitat normally likes to have a core group of 15 volunteers who can commit a couple days a week to build. If there aren’t consistent volunteers, then 50 to 60 volunteers over the course of a build, works very well.

“You do not need to be a carpenter or have any prior building experience, as we train everyone that comes to work and we provide the tools,” said Engmann.

Excavation and utility service, plumbing, electrical, and roofing are normally contracted out to sub-contractors who often provide some or all services donated, or reduced cost (in-kind) to keep the construction costs as low as possible.

A significant means of income for the organization is the Restore stores in Rapid City and Spearfish. Community members support Habitat by donating excess building materials, furniture, appliances, and really anything for the home. People can simply call (605) 791-1880 for a donation pick up, or drop off items at either facility at 610 E. Omaha in Rapid or 2915 E. Colorado in Spearfish from 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday. If a church, service club or business would like to arrange a “donation drive” at their facility, Habitat ReStore can arrange to have boxtrucks available during specific days/hours. One person’s trash becomes another person’s treasure, generating wonderful financial support to the housing ministry.

If an individual wants to volunteer to help build, or volunteer at ReStore the easiest way is to call (605) 348-9196 or email info@blackhillshabitat.org.

For additional information about Black Hills Habitat for Humanity please call the office at (605) 3489196.