RAPID CITY, South Dakota – The housing market has been unfavorable for homebuyers recently, but Habitat for Humanity in the Black Hills region is providing affordable housing for people who fall into certain income brackets.
Habitat for Humanity brought out the golden shovels today to celebrate the groundbreaking of Bob and Linda Popkes' new home.
Bob, who is paralyzed from the waist down and now retired, applied for the program to meet his transportation needs and reduce costs.
“We found out about the program last summer,” Bob says, “and decided we wanted to work through Habitat for Humanity to buy a home here in the Black Hills. We started the process of applying and everything, and applications were due in September. We found out in December that we'd been accepted.”
Habitat purchases land at below market price and builds homes with low labor costs through applicants and volunteers, making the homes it provides very affordable.
To qualify, applicants must meet certain income thresholds and demonstrate need, but Bob wants everyone to know that housing isn't free.
“At the end of the day, even if they finally have their own home, they still have a mortgage and all the other payments. A lot of people think it's just a handout. But Habitat for Humanity is like a grant.”
More information on how to apply for housing can be found on the Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity website at blackhillshabitat.org.
