Rapid City, SD, Dec. 12, 2023 – In an initiative first started by the Diocese of Rapid City, 15 Catholic organizations from Deanery One have entered into a two-year partnership with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity in which participating Catholic Churches will raise $450,000 over the next two years. Deanery One includes The Rapid City area parishes, Piedmont, Custer, Hot Springs, and Edgemont as well as the Rapid City School System and the Rapid City Newman Center. The funds will go toward completing four new 3-bedroom townhomes being constructed at 726 East Madison St. in Rapid City that will be sold to qualifying Habitat partner applicants. In addition to fundraising, the Catholic community is joining in volunteering in the building process, which is expected to go through 2024. People of all walks of life and faiths are welcome to join the Catholics Building on Faith East Madison Village initiative.

The purpose is to provide much-needed relief to individuals and families struggling with housing insecurity by supporting the construction of affordable homes for ownership.

Bishop Peter Muhich shares his encouragement, “All Catholics are invited to engage in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, which includes feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving shelter to the homeless (Mt 25:31-46). I am happy to support this needed project and encourage your generous contributions.”  

According to the Rapid City Strategic Housing Coalition’s 2022 Rapid City Housing Market Summary, Rapid City’s population is expected to grow with an anticipated 18.9% increase between 2020 and 2030. The result is an ongoing housing crisis at all levels — housing inventories are down, prices are up, and starting/middle wages do not support average rents or purchase prices. A total of 5,500 housing units, including homes and rentals, are needed by 2030 to meet growing population demands.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to build with the Catholic community in a way that will stir up faith and hope both for people giving and serving, as well as for our partner families who will work hard to achieve their new affordable homes,” said Scott Engmann, executive director of Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity. “It is impossible for Habitat homebuyers to afford the high cost of housing without our program, and Habitat depends on strong community partners to provide the support. In our 33-year history we have worked with a wide range of faith communities, and this marks a significant continuation of such partnerships that have been critical to our mission. We will need many more creative partnerships like this one to continue addressing the housing crisis in our region.” 

Habitat designs mortgage payments at no more than 28 percent of a qualified homeowner partner’s income. Financial packages might include low- or zero-interest loans and forgivable loans to both build new homes and refurbish old ones. The East Madison Village founding gift of $250,000 from Steve & Jona Hilton began this initiative covering site acquisition, site preparation, design/engineering, and infrastructure. “We couldn’t do this work of providing decent, affordable housing options without the assistance and faithful help from individuals like the Hilton’s, who enjoy expressing their faith in such a practical way,” Engmann said.

The Catholic partnering idea is not unprecedented. The partnership began in 2013-14, when five Catholic Churches of Rapid City partnered with Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity to build two houses. Blessed Sacrament, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Therese, and Our Lady of the Black Hills worked together and hundreds of Catholics put their faith into action volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for adequate housing.