Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns outlines homeownership, land trust and repair work in Sheridan area

Marilyn Meredith Sopko, development director for Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns, told the Sheridan City Council on Aug. 18 that the nonprofit is advancing several local housing programs: a traditional homeownership track, a housing land trust, a home-repair program and a community ReStore.

"It really does make a huge impact for our homeowners," Sopko said, thanking the council and mayor for continued support through GPET funding. She outlined eligibility and program details for the homeownership program, noting Habitat serves households between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Sopko provided income examples from the county AMI schedule used by the program: about $22,700 annually for a single-person household at 30% AMI and $32,400 for a family of four at that threshold.

Sopko said the homeownership program requires partner families to complete sweat-equity hours (200 hours per individual, 400 hours for a couple), pay a minimal down payment ($3,000) and take a 0% mortgage. She reported five families are currently in the program and described four homes under work in Rochester: two about 60% complete, two framed, and one finished and expected to close within about a month. In calendar year 2025, Habitat closed on two homes in Rochester and expects two more closings within three months; the organization aims to have five families in new homes by year-end.

On the housing land trust, Sopko said the Westin Village project will total 30 homes when finished; she reported the first three homes are complete, one occupied, two under contract and five more scheduled to finish in September or October. She provided sale pricing for the first three land-trust homes at $237,000 each for three-bedroom, two-bath homes with garage and patio. Sopko said buyers own the home but not the land, which remains in the trust to preserve long-term affordability.

Sopko described expansion of the home-repair program into Johnson County and a goal to complete about 20 repairs in the year (10——to 15 in Sheridan County). She said the program received a grant from the Daniels Fund to support repairs aimed at lower-income and aging households, including accessibility modifications and post-hospital supports. Habitat has partnered with the HUB, the VA and social workers at Sheridan Memorial Hospital for client referrals.

Sopko also updated the council on the ReStore: in the last fiscal year (ended June 30) the ReStore reported $285,000 in revenue and about 55,000 items handled. She said Habitat plans to start accepting clothing donations for resale after Labor Day and that store operations rely heavily on volunteers. Sopko invited council members to tour Westin Village and other builds, and she thanked the council for local support.

The presentation did not require council action; council members thanked the presenter and asked clarifying questions about volunteer events and upcoming ReStore changes.