June 1, 2004
June Proclaimed Homeownership Month – SDHDA Helps Celebrate
( Pierre ) — Governor Mike Rounds has proclaimed June as Homeownership Month in South Dakota . In doing so Rounds stated that “homeownership provides the foundation upon which vital communities, stable neighborhoods, secure family bases, healthy childhoods, and personal dreams are built.”
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) continues its emphasis of providing affordable homeownership development and financing, increasing homeownership opportunities to residents of South Dakota . According to the Census Bureau, South Dakota ’s homeownership rate is 70.9 percent, 1.6 percent above the national average.
The Proclamation also states that these homeownership opportunities “depend on partnerships, including homebuilders, realtors, land developers, lenders, governments, and schools working together.”
“The Authority offers only pieces,” said Dar Baum , Executive Director of SDHDA. “It’s our partners that take those pieces and complete the puzzle. We rely on our Participating Lenders and Realtors for support of the vital First-time Homebuyers Program; homebuilders, developers, and non-profits to help build and create the necessary homes; and additional funding partners to help fill the gaps and provide the dollars to help us build a better quality of life in South Dakota.”
SDHDA is celebrating Homeownership Month by continuing its “Paint – South Dakota ” Campaign. For the past six years, SDHDA has sponsored the Paint – South Dakota Campaign, purchasing more than 3,100 gallons of paint and primer for 164 homes across South Dakota . More than 2,000 local volunteers have assisted in painting homes of members of their communities since the campaign’s inception.
“We have continued the campaign because of its success and the benefits it gives to people, volunteers, and communities,” said John Rothstein of Mobridge, Chairman of the SDHDA Board of Commissioners. “This year, 40 communities will be helping us celebrate Our fifth anniversary has met us with an overwhelming response to this effort. We received nearly 40 applications.”
In the past the program has been limited to 25 applications, but with the volume of volunteers groups coming forward this year, the SDHDA Board of Commissioners agreed to approve award all applications . SDHDA received. “It wasn’t a difficult decision, this is a great program that brings communities and people together to help their fellow citizens, and the homeowners are very grateful,” concluded Rothstein.
The homes will be painted during Homeownership Month. Local community organizations have coordinated local volunteers and equipment to accomplish the job.
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is an independent, quasi-public agency that finances and develops affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents throughout South Dakota . SDHDA is totally self-supporting and receives no tax money, appropriations or other funding from the State. SDHDA does not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, handicapped, familial status or national origin.
