What housing programs does South Dakota offer?

South Dakota has several programs that help people afford housing, but they work differently and reach different groups. The main options are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (federal, administered locally), public housing (owned and operated by local housing authorities), Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC, which funds apartment construction), and emergency rental information (temporary help with back rent). South Dakota also has state-specific programs like the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grants, though these fund new construction and repairs more often than direct tenant help.

The program that reaches the most people is Section 8, but waiting lists are long in many areas. Public housing is smaller and also has waiting lists. Tax credit apartments are easier to move into because they don't have waiting lists — you explore directly to the landlord — but they're scattered across the state and not always in the neighborhoods where people need them most.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers let you choose where to live, but waiting lists in South Dakota range from a few months to several years depending on your housing authority.
  • Public housing is owned by local authorities and has its own waiting lists; it's not the same as Section 8 and doesn't give you the freedom to pick your landlord.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit apartments don't have waiting lists, but you explore directly to the landlord and must meet their income limits, which vary by building.
  • Emergency rental information covers back rent only, not future rent, and is available through your county or city when funds are open.
  • South Dakota's housing authorities are spread across the state; which one serves you depends on where you live, not on a single statewide office.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in South Dakota

Section 8 is a federal program that gives you a voucher worth a portion of your rent. You find your own apartment, the landlord agrees to take Section 8, and you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The voucher amount is set by your local housing authority and is based on the fair market rent for your area — it's not the same everywhere in South Dakota.

To get on a waiting list, you contact your local housing authority. South Dakota has multiple authorities: Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, Rapid City Housing Authority, Pierre Housing Authority, and several others depending on your city or county. Each one manages its own waiting list. Some lists are open; some are closed. Waiting times vary widely — some areas have lists that move in a year or two, others have lists that don't open for years. You can call your local authority to ask if they're taking new applications and how long the current wait is.

Once you get a voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 120 days) to find an apartment. The landlord must pass a housing inspection and agree to the voucher amount. You can use the voucher in any state, so if you move, you can port it to another housing authority, though that process takes time and isn't may provide.

Public Housing in South Dakota

Public housing is different from Section 8. The housing authority owns the building, and you rent directly from them. You don't choose your landlord — the authority is your landlord. Rents are set at 30 percent of your income, so they're lower than market rent, but you have less choice about where you live and what the apartment looks like.

Public housing in South Dakota is concentrated in larger cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Smaller towns may not have public housing at all. Like Section 8, public housing has waiting lists, and they can be long. You explore through the same local housing authority that runs Section 8, but the waiting lists are separate.

Public housing comes with income limits. If your income rises above the limit, you may have to leave. Section 8 doesn't have that rule — you can stay on Section 8 even if your income goes up, though your rent share will increase.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit apartments

Tax credit apartments are built with federal tax credits that go to developers. These apartments are required to rent to people making 50 to 60 percent of the area median income, depending on the building. The big difference from Section 8 and public housing is that there's no waiting list — you explore directly to the landlord, like any other rental.

The catch is that tax credit apartments are scattered, and you have to find them yourself. South Dakota's housing finance agency keeps a list, but it's not always up to date. You can also search online or call local housing authorities to ask which tax credit buildings are in their area. Income limits vary by building and by year, so you have to check each one.

Rents in tax credit buildings are lower than market rent but higher than public housing or Section 8. You pay the full rent yourself — there's no voucher. But if you don't may have access to for Section 8 yet (maybe the waiting list is closed or you're just above the income limit), a tax credit apartment might be your fastest option.

Emergency rental information in South Dakota

Emergency rental information covers rent you already owe, not rent coming due. It's temporary help, not ongoing. South Dakota's program is run through the state housing finance agency, but money is distributed to local administrators — usually your county or city. You contact your local office to ask if the fund is open and whether you meet the income and hardship requirements.

To get emergency information, you typically need proof of a recent hardship (job loss, illness, eviction notice), a signed lease, and proof of the rent you owe. The program pays the landlord directly. Processing takes a few weeks. If the local fund is closed, you may have to wait for it to reopen, or you can ask if another county's program is still accepting applications.

Emergency information is not the same as ongoing rent help. Once the back rent is paid, the program is done. It's meant to keep you from losing your housing while you get back on your feet, not to make rent affordable long-term.

HOME and Community Development Block Grants

South Dakota receives federal HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money. These funds mostly go to building new affordable apartments, fixing up existing ones, or helping people buy homes. They're less likely to help you pay rent directly, but they do create more affordable housing stock over time.

Some of this money goes to nonprofits that run down-payment help programs or home repair grants. If you're interested in buying rather than renting, ask your local housing authority or city planning office whether down-payment information is available in your area. The programs and amounts vary by city and year.

How to find your local housing authority

South Dakota doesn't have a single statewide housing authority. Instead, each city or county has its own, or shares one with neighboring areas. To find yours, search "[your city or county] housing authority" or call your city or county government office and ask for the housing authority's number. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (the state agency) can also point you to the right local office.

Once you find your authority, ask what programs they run, whether waiting lists are open, and how long the current wait is. Some authorities run both Section 8 and public housing; others run only one. Some areas have multiple authorities serving different neighborhoods. Knowing which one serves your address matters because you have to explore through the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waiting list for both Section 8 and public housing at the same time?

Yes. They're separate programs with separate waiting lists. You can explore to both and take whichever one comes through first. Some people prefer Section 8 because you choose your apartment; others prefer public housing because the rent is lower. Being on both lists doesn't hurt your chances for either one.

What if I live in a small town with no housing authority nearby?

Some small towns don't have their own authority. You may be served by a regional authority that covers several counties, or you may have to go to the nearest city. Call your county government office — they'll know which authority covers your area and how the process works.

Do I have to live in South Dakota to use a Section 8 voucher there?

You have to be a resident of the area served by that housing authority to get on the waiting list. Once you have a voucher, you can move to another state and port it, but you can't explore from out of state. If you're moving to South Dakota, you'll need a local address or proof of intent to move before most authorities will put you on the list.

How long does it take to get Section 8 in South Dakota?

It depends on your area. Some housing authorities have waiting lists that move in one to two years; others have lists that are closed or have waits of five years or more. Call your local authority to ask the current wait time. Even if the list is long, it's worth explore because you don't know when your situation might change.

What's the difference between fair market rent and what I actually pay?

Fair market rent is what the housing authority thinks a typical apartment costs in your area. Your Section 8 voucher covers that amount. If you find an apartment that costs less, you pay less. If you find one that costs more, you pay the difference out of pocket. You can't use a Section 8 voucher for an apartment that costs more than the voucher amount unless you pay the extra yourself.