Homeownership Provides Continuity for Family

Chris Hermensen and Tiffany Winkelman have had a lot to celebrate during the month of May.  The couple purchased their first home together and gave birth to their daughter, Amillia. 

Affordable housing seems to be nearly impossible to find in Rapid City, but thanks to local organization, NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources, homeownership was made possible for the young couple.  Chris and Tiffany finished moving into their home and two days later gave birth to their baby girl

The couple began looking for a home last September.  One of Chris’s co-workers suggested that they look into NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources. 

NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources is a non-profit organization that helps families with low to moderate incomes purchase homes.  NeighborWorks® offers free homebuyer education and down-payment and closing cost assistance.  NeighborWorks® also has a home rehab and construction department.  The home that Chris and Tiffany purchased was a complete rehab constructed by NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources.

NeighborWorks® purchased 713 Lemmon the spring of 2011 by utilizing Neighborhood Stabilization funds (NSP).  NSP was established through congress’s Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) to help stabilize communities and neighborhoods in the wake of the foreclosure crisis.  Thanks to these funds, NeighborWorks® was able to purchase a foreclosed abandoned lot, and rebuild a new single family home in order to create an affordable home for a family. 

 “The main reason we decided on this house, was because of the neighborhood. When Doris showed us the home, Officer Ron Terviel was patrolling the street.  We knew that our family would be safe here,” Chris explained. 

In 2009, NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources partnered with the Rapid City Police Department and created the Lemmon Avenue Block Club. Since then, Lemmon Avenue has been transformed into a Community of Choice.  The couple’s new neighborhood has a community garden, a nearby park, and great neighbors.  “The neighbors have already introduced themselves to us,” Chris stated.  

Chris looked at multiple apartments throughout Rapid City, but in the end owning a home was very comparable if not more affordable than renting. “…we don’t have worry about a land lord eventually telling us we have to move out, this home is 100% ours,” Chris affirmed.

 For now the couple is busy with their 5 week year old baby, but Chris stated that he has a list projects to accomplish on his home before the summer is over. 

If you would like more information on NeighborWorks® Dakota Home Resources or affordable housing options you can contact NeighborWorks® at 605-578-1401 or visit their website at www.NeighborWorks®dhr.org