The Tangerines have failed to win at home since August 19, when they triumphed 3-0 over city rivals Dundee, but they have since found it tough going on home soil with a succession of draws hampering their season.
United shared the spoils with Tayside neighbours St Johnstone in a Boxing Day 1-1 draw at Tannadice, that result coming after Houston's men threw away a 3-0 lead against Inverness, needing a late Jon Daly penalty to secure a 4-4 draw.
Now the Tangerines have a chance to make amends when Danny Lennon's Buddies visit on Sunday, and Houston wants to see his side end 2012 with a home victory.
He said: "It would be the ideal way to finish the year.
"We're looking to get a home win for ourselves and, of course, for the fans.
"Our home form obviously hasn't been what we'd like and we should have taken more points from certain games this season.
"But there's no point dwelling on it too much.
"What we have to try and do is go out there and get the three points which would make everyone associated with the club happy.
"I'm sure the fans will turn out in good numbers again so it's important we do everything possible to give them something to show for our efforts."
Houston watched his side relinquish an early lead through Gavin Gunning's header against Steve Lomas' Saints on Wednesday, with Brian McLean's own goal ensuring it finished honours even on Tayside.
But now he is challenging his side to make sure they do not slip up again against their Paisley visitors.
He said: "It was disappointing again the way we didn't take all three points. When you go ahead at home you always look to see things out.
"It's been the story of our season but hopefully if we get our noses in front we can go on to finish the job off properly.
"We had chances against St Johnstone but it's no good saying this and that.
"We have to try and be more ruthless in attack and make sure we don't give anything away at the back.
"I've got a good group of honest boys in the dressing room.
"I know they'll give me everything which will in turn hopefully lead to us getting some better fortune in games at home."
Meanwhile, United full-back Keith Watson hopes to recover in time to face the Buddies after picking up a shoulder injury in the Tayside derby.
Winger Gary Mackay-Steven is still out of action after breaking his hand while Sean Dillon is set to be sidelined again as he struggles to get over a thigh injury.
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