Housing Stability Partners of the Black Hills recently hosted its inaugural Hustle for Housing 5K in Rapid City, bringing community members together to raise awareness about youth housing insecurity in the Black Hills.
According to organizers, more than 30 people participated in the April 25 event, which focused on the growing number of young people experiencing unstable housing situations locally and across the country.
Housing insecurity can include a lack of safe or permanent shelter and often means youth are couch surfing, staying temporarily with other families, or living in vehicles or motels.
“When people lack stable housing, they are more likely to experience poor health, difficulty finishing school and finding consistent work opportunities,” said Amy Mikulak, administrator for Housing Stability Partners of the Black Hills. “We hope that this event helps raise awareness about this important issue impacting the youth in our community.”
The organization cited data from the Elevate Rapid City Housing Dashboard showing that as of March 2026, an individual in Rapid City would need to earn about $26.64 per hour to afford the average monthly rent. Organizers said that level of income can be especially difficult for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to achieve.
Housing Stability Partners of the Black Hills said it plans to continue focusing on education, awareness and collaboration surrounding housing insecurity issues throughout the region.
The organization is made up of service providers working together to improve access to supportive services, affordable housing and community resources aimed at helping individuals and families facing housing instability.
More information about the organization and its programs is available through its website.
