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Volunteers From San Francisco-Based PMI to Build Habitat for Humanity Home On the Rosebud Reservation

Volunteers From San Francisco-Based PMI to Build Habitat for Humanity Home On the Rosebud Reservation

Published 06-15-01

Submitted by PMI Group, Inc.

A Lakota Sioux family living in what they describe as "low rent housing" will be the recipient -- and owners -- of a brand new house to be built in one week, as part of a volunteer effort sponsored by a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and The PMI Group, Inc.

Volunteer employees from PMI, a leading mortgage insurance provider, will travel from their headquarters in San Francisco to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Rosebud, South Dakota to begin work this Sunday. This is PMI's 21st sponsored Habitat Build, and the 11th build that PMI employees are participating in.

The home will be built for Sophie DeGraff, and her husband Clyde. Sophie, 62, is a native Lakota; Clyde, 64, was born in Woodstock NY. They have lived on the reservation since 1992. Their daughter Yvonne, and grandson Michael Coddington will also live in the home.

"I am handicapped," says Sophie DeGraff. "I had been desperately looking for a home, but I can't afford one, and a bank loan is not the path for one who is indigent."

The Sicangu Tikaga Okiciyapi Habitat for Humanity local affiliate is partnering with PMI to build the home. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the housing needs of low-income families. PMI has been working with the organization since 1994.

"PMI's support for Habitat extends from my office down through the company," said Roger Haughton, Chairman and CEO of PMI. "Our partnership with Habitat is an integral part of PMI's overall commitment to helping low- and moderate-income families achieve the American Dream."

Habitat for Humanity is one of an array of programs and initiatives that comprise PMI's Emerging Markets Program, which facilitates homeownership among underserved groups and minorities.

"We are very excited about getting this home and are very much looking forward to meeting everyone when they come out to build our house," said Sophie DeGraff.

The PMI Group, Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco and through its subsidiary, PMI Mortgage Insurance Co., is one of the largest private mortgage insurers in the United States. The PMI Group, Inc. through its subsidiaries provides private mortgage insurance in Australia, New Zealand and the European Union as well as mortgage guaranty reinsurance in Hong Kong.

The PMI Group, Inc. is a leader in mortgage risk management technology providing various products and services for the home mortgage finance industry as well as title insurance. This release can also be accessed at http://www.pmigroup.com or a faxed copy can be obtained by dialing 800-758-5804, entering The PMI Group, Inc. company code no. 706963 when prompted, and following the automated prompts.

PMI Group, Inc. logo

PMI Group, Inc.

PMI Group, Inc.

For more than 30 years, PMI has combined its risk management expertise and financial strength to serve the evolving needs of our customers and the world’s financial markets. PMI's insurance products support the mortgage finance system by providing protection to lenders and investors around the globe in the event of borrower default. By protecting mortgage lenders and investors from credit losses, PMI helps to ensure mortgages are available to prospective homebuyers. Through its strategic investments in the financial guaranty industry, PMI supports the infrastructure on which homeownership depends, including transportation, schools, hospitals, and utilities.

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