Lakota FCU Helping Make Homes a Reality

Five organizations located on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations – Lakota Federal Credit Union, Lakota Funds, Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakapi Corporation, and Tatanka Funds – with funding support from NeighborWorks America – have joined together to launch the Rosebud Homeownership and Wealth Building Initiative.

The initiative takes a number of steps to make homeownership more accessible to tribal members living on the Rosebud Reservation. Through a series of 12 trainings delivered at varying locations, the initiative helps tribal members prepare for the responsibility of homeownership and become mortgage ready.

Specifically, the trainings focus on building financial capability, improving credit, and increasing knowledge of the home buying process. The partner organizations will also work individually with aspiring homeowners to coach them through essential steps in the homeownership process, such as financial goals, saving, credit readiness, and land leases.

Last fall, Lakota FCU and Lakota Funds announced the opening of their second location at the Oglala Lakota Arts Center, with offices focused on supporting Lakota families who are pursuing homeownership. The new location is staffed with a full-time mortgage lender, in addition to providing all regular services, including check cashing, deposits, and withdrawals.

Anyone living on the Pine Ridge or Rosebud Reservation that is interested in pursuing homeownership is encouraged to call Tawney Brunsch at 605-455-2500 to find out about upcoming trainings.