Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry financed through private donations and utilizing volunteer labor. Our purpose is to build simple, decent, affordable housing with partner families and to sell the houses at no profit and no interest to families who could not otherwise afford a home.

Do you dream of owning your own home? Are you willing to put forth the effort to change your family’s future? Oahe Habitat for Humanity is looking for new homeowners to partner with us! We help qualifying families find affordable opportunities to buy simple, decent homes. You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate for your family’s needs and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.

Oahe Habitat for Humanity seeks to build lives as well as houses. Through the houses we build, hope is restored and lives are changed as the cycle of need is broken. How we build is just as important as what we build. Habitat houses are built with a contribution of hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" labor on the part of the Partner Families. By investing themselves in the building process, Partner Families gain self-reliance, self-esteem, and new skills.

By investing time, money, materials, and their expertise, Habitat volunteers, donors, organizations, businesses and professional trades gain new relationships, which extend far beyond the immediate impact. Habitat brings together people from all walks of life, with varied skills and economic backgrounds to achieve a common goal of service to others.

Oahe Habitat for Humanity pledges to the letter and spirit of U.S. and state policies for the achievement of equal housing. We do not eliminate applicants or discriminate because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, family status, ethnicity, national origin, or public assistance as a source of income.

We will be accepting applications for the 2011 Build. Look for announcements in Fall of 2010 regarding date to submit updated application form.

The first step, if you decide you'd like to apply to partner with Oahe Habitat for Humanity, is to let us know you're interested! You can call the office at 224-6744 and leave your address and phone number, or you can email us at oahehabitat@mncomm.com or click on Contact Us.

Criteria

Level of need: Your family’s actual housing need based on the condition of your current shelter.

            Your application will be reviewed for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure; water, no indoor plumbing, electrical or sewage service systems; leaks in the roof, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, poor heating, heating system, or failure to meet city property maintenance standards. Also taken into consideration are the number of children plus the ages and gender of children compared to the number of bedrooms; overcrowding (three to a bedroom), in your present home. The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine Financial need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with Habitat personnel.

Ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest loan: Your income and ability to pay for a Habitat house.

            Since you will actually be buying your house from Oahe Habitat for Humanity; you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment which includes the mortgage amount plus real estate taxes and home insurance. We will help you determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. 

         You and your family will be considered if your annual total income is not more than $39,000 or not less than $22,758 for a family of four, in the county where you will reside. The estimated house payment is $550 per month, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance.

Willingness to become partners in the program: Your willingness to partner with Habitat by providing sweat-equity hours.

        As a partner family you will be responsible for 200 hours of sweat equity per adult family member. A partner family must complete 400 hours of sweat equity before becoming a Habitat homeowner. This sweat equity may be accomplished through a required training program as well as in construction of your house and the houses of others and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers, working in the Habitat office and attending Homeownership Classes in the community. The training program provides thorough training in Basic Construction Skills and Safety, and later in Home Maintenance & Repair. So, your skill level and understanding of construction and maintenance will increase tremendously through your sweat equity. The required training  also includes  in-depth financial counseling and budgeting along with other homeownership issues. Each adult family member can receive credit for 50 of the sweat equity hours put in by friends and family who join in the work. 

Homeowner Responsibilities

              When an individual/family is selected, they become a "partner" with Oahe Habitat for Humanity.The sales of Habitat houses to Partner Families is structured giving Habitat a First Right of Refusal to buy, which then assures continued affordability beyond the first owner. The monthly mortgage payments are reinvested and used to build more houses through a revolving fund. In this way, we can ensure that Habitat homes will go on meeting the need for affordable housing in Pierre and Fort Pierre.

          Habitat homeowners are responsible for all their own maintenance and repairs to the house after signing their mortgage, such as mowing the lawn, keeping the yard nice, keeping the appearance of house nice, upkeep of house interior and exterior like painting and window screens.

            After moving into your house, the Family Support Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you for the minimum of a six month period. The committee will advise and assist with financial decisions if necessary. Houses are built using as much volunteer labor as possible. The houses are sold to partner families at cost with no down-payment, and are paid for with a no interest mortgage over a 20 or 30 year period. The payments are used to build more homes for other low income families. Habitat for Humanity is NOT a "giveaway" program. The partner families repay the cost of the homes and each family is required to invest "sweat equity" hours in the construction of their own or other homes.

How to Apply

            If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, please contact your local Habitat affiliate. The application process takes between two and four months. Families not accepted may reapply for future homes.

            Those persons who are interested should read the Apply for a Home page. Once they have contacted Oahe Habitat for Humanity, they will receive orientation information.

            The Habitat affiliate will explain the application process and provide information on the availability, size, and cost of Habitat homes in your area. You must attend the Orientation Meeting to submit an application. You can download and print an application form and complete it ahead of time. The Family Selection Committee accepts applications one or two times a year. If you would like information on how to apply for a Habitat House in Pierre or Fort Pierre , for families who need assistance in filling out this application or to have a homeowner application mailed to you, please complete Contact Us  or call 605-224-6744 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              605-224-6744      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Requirements: You must be a legal resident of our service area: Hughes and Stanley County

After a family has applied, Habitat will verify employment and other income, verify checking and savings account balances, get a statement from current and previous landlords, have a credit check done, and ask for credit references. A checklist of necessary information is included with application. *All original documentation will be copied for the application and the originals will be returned for you to keep.

Instructions for Homeowner Application

• FIRST STEP

You need to send us your contact information by completing the Contact Us form. Or, you may either email or call the office, which ever is more convenient for you!

EmailAddress:  oahehabitat@mncomm.com                                 Phone #: 605-224-6744 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              605-224-6744      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Your contact information should include your full name, address, and any phone numbers where you may be contacted. If you request, we will mail the application forms to you.

• SECOND STEP

To apply to become a Habitat partner, print out the forms below and complete them.

(You will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer to open the homeowner application packet. To download a free version of this software, click here): 

             Homeowner Application 

•  THIRD STEP

Please deliver or mail your application to the Oahe Habitat for Humanity office. Mail to PO Box 533, Pierre, SD 57501 or deliver to the First United Methodist Church, 117 N Central Ave, Pierre - Office open Tuesday and Thursday 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. See map on Contact Us page.

How Family is Selected

            Selection Committee

            Habitat will verify employment and other income, verify checking and savings account balances, get a statement from current and previous landlords, have a credit check done, and ask for credit references. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with Habitat personnel. Since you will actually be buying your house from Oahe Habitat for Humanity, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment which includes the mortgage amount plus real estate taxes and home insurance. We will help you determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. You may be expected to pay a down payment, save for one year's homeowners insurance and for utility hook-ups, and for closing costs.

            The committee reviews and researches the application and conducts interviews in person and at the applicant’s residence,  using the following criteria (please note that all family information is kept strictly confidential):

1. Your family’s actual housing need based on the condition of your current  shelter.
2. Your income and ability to pay for a Habitat house.
3. Your willingness to partner with Habitat by providing sweat-equity hours.