With construction of a third house in Sturgis, the Black Hills Habitat for Humanity has completed their latest project. Three homes, and three new homeowners.
After a short housewarming party, Samantha Whitford is a proud new homeowner.
Whitford is a longtime renter, and now she has a new place to call home. This comes after putting her own hard work into this home, from the foundations to the shingles. She even got to pick the paint color.
The project was a partnership between Habitat, community organizations and the City of Sturgis.
Local Habitat executive director Scott Engmann said these projects benefit communities and families.
“By doing these infill projects it leverages the infrastructure the city has already invested in plus it’s a little bit more affordable for us once we get those homes built," Engmann said. "It’s a great celebration for the families. They’ve worked hard to get into their homes with their 250 hours of sweat equity, and now they’re going to pay mortgages that are truly affordable for them.”
This home, along with the other two, were a vacant lot before the Habitat for Humanity project. Amanda Mowry is homes solutions manager with the organization.
“Aesthetically, I think a couple of houses here looks a lot better than a vacant lot, and financially the city of Sturgis and Meade County will benefit from property taxes and increased revenue in their community," Mowry said. "It’s just closure and completion of seeing something through to the finish. It’s the culmination of everyone’s hard work.”
Nnew homeowner Whitford said despite the hard work, she’s proud of her new home and encouraged anyone interested in the program to get involved with their local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
