Pandemic pushes more S.D. reservation residents to seek homeownership
Nick Lowrey
South Dakota News Watch
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more Native Americans living on reservations in South Dakota to seek homeownership, a potential step toward greater family financial security and community stability in some of the state’s most impoverished regions.
But long-standing institutional, economic and geographic barriers continue to block some reservation residents from buying a home.
During the first six months of 2020, 193 people enrolled in first-time homebuyer and financial literacy classes offered by reservation-based community development groups as a prelude to buying a home. During all of 2019, 190 people enrolled in the courses, according to data collected by the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition.
WATERTOWN — Despite a stumbling distribution of vaccines against COVID-19 for expanded populations over the last week, doses are still being lined up for nursing home residents and staff.
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 - 6:11 am
Above are Michael Briggs, owner of 3 Seasons, who is presenting a check to St. Joseph s Home s Melissa Lalonde, social worker & Colleen Steele, administrator.
OGDENSBURG Three Seasons Whimsical Finds of Ogdensburg raised more than $1,000 to buy a cappuccino maker that nursing home residents at St. Joseph’s in Ogdensburg wished for.
Northern New York communities rallied around the 3 Seasons “Giving Tree” promotion to benefit the residents raising a total of $1.059.94.
Because of the generosity of the communities and St. Joseph’s staff, residents will soon be able to enjoy a cup of cappuccino or hot chocolate “self-service” in their community room.