The Oglala Sioux Tribe Partnership for Housing, Inc. was launched in 1999 to address the shortage of affordable housing on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The path to home ownership has created a rhythm in our work. We have learned and continue to learn how best to move people from poverty to homeownership. In March 2020 everything changed with the presence of the Corona Virus-19(COVID). As a small non-profit organization; we were severely impacted by the pandemic. The dedication of the staff, during temporary closures, working remotely, staff rotation and self-quarantine has been amazing! Our office has been closed to the public but we have become quite creative in reaching out to and serving clients. Since March, 120 clients have been served and the numbers remain steady. Affordable, safe home rehabilitation is actually happening. Homeownership and Financial Literacy ZOOM trainings are continuing. We want to take our office on the road and have acquired a used (but new to us) RV that we want to retrofit so it will be safe for staff and clients to meet in person. Pine Ridge Reservation requires lots of driving, but meeting clients in their own communities seems to be the safest approach. This margin of safety, for our clients and staff, is projected to cost $25,000. We want to be on the road by early spring so we are relying on partners like you to support our mobile office. We need our ‘work horse’. Please consider financial participation in our project during this time of change & challenge.
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