June 1, 2005
South Dakota Housing Development Authority
For More Information: Dar Baum, 773-3181
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 Proclamation also states that these homeownership opportunities “depend on partners, including homebuilders, Realtors, land developers, lenders, governments, and schools working together.”
The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) continues its emphasis of providing and increasing affordable homeownership development and financing opportunities.
“The Authority helped 2,500 South Dakota families purchase their first home last year,” said Dar Baum, Executive Director of SDHDA, “but we rely upon our partners to help build the necessary homes, work with the families to help them purchase, and provide homebuyer education to help us build a better quality of life in South Dakota.”
The Proclamation also points out that studies indicate children in owned homes score higher in the areas of math and reading, have a lower school dropout rate, attain a higher level of education, lower teen pregnancy rates, have an increased level of emotional support, have fewer behavioral problems, and are more likely to become homeowners themselves.
SDHDA is celebrating Homeownership Month by continuing its “Paint – South Dakota” Campaign. For the past seven years, SDHDA has sponsored the Paint – South Dakota Campaign, purchasing more than 3, 800 gallons of paint and primer for 200 homes across South Dakota. More than 2,500 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 Bob Sutton of Pierre, Chairman of the SDHDA Board of Commissioners. “This year, 31 communities will be helping us celebrate.”
The homes will be painted during Homeownership Month. Local community organizations have coordinated 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.
