What housing programs are available in South Dakota

South Dakota has three main federal housing programs: Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and Project-Based Rental information. Section 8 vouchers let you choose your own rental unit and the program pays part of the rent directly to your landlord. Public housing means you rent an apartment or house owned and managed by a local housing authority. Project-Based Rental information ties subsidies to specific buildings rather than to you as a person — if you move, the subsidy stays behind.

The state also runs emergency rental information through local administering agencies, though funding varies by year and availability changes. South Dakota does not have a statewide waiting list; instead, each housing authority manages its own list for the area it serves. The largest housing authorities are in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, but smaller towns and rural counties have their own programs too.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 vouchers in South Dakota are administered by local housing authorities, not the state, so you explore to the authority that serves your county.
  • Most Section 8 waiting lists in South Dakota are closed, meaning you cannot add your name until the authority reopens it — this can take months or years.
  • Public housing and Project-Based Rental information have separate waiting lists from Section 8, and some may be open when Section 8 is not.
  • Emergency rental information is available through your county or city, but funds are limited and programs may close when money runs out.
  • Rural areas of South Dakota often have longer wait times and fewer units available than cities, so your timeline depends on where you live.

Section 8 vouchers and waiting lists in South Dakota

To use a Section 8 voucher in South Dakota, you must first get on a waiting list with your local housing authority. The authority for your area depends on where you live — Sioux Falls Housing Authority serves Minnehaha County, Rapid City Housing Authority serves Pennington County, and so on. You cannot explore to a housing authority outside your county unless you have already been accepted and are moving there.

Most South Dakota housing authorities have closed their Section 8 waiting lists. When a list is closed, you cannot add your name, and the authority does not announce a reopening date. You can call the authority serving your area to ask if the list is open and, if it is closed, ask to be notified when it reopens. Some authorities will add your name to a notification list at no cost.

If the waiting list is open, you will need to provide proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a Social Security number for each household member. The process itself is usually free. Once you are on the list, wait times vary widely — some South Dakota authorities have waits of two to three years, while others may move faster depending on how many vouchers they have and how many people are ahead of you.

How Section 8 rent payments work once you have a voucher

When you receive a Section 8 voucher, you have a set amount of money the program will pay toward rent — this is called your voucher amount. You then find a rental unit that meets program standards and negotiate a lease with the landlord. The landlord must agree to accept Section 8 and sign a contract with the housing authority.

The housing authority pays the landlord directly each month. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent — this is your share. If rent is lower than your voucher amount, you pay less. If rent is higher, you pay the difference out of pocket, or you can look for a cheaper unit. The program does not cover utilities unless they are included in the rent.

You must recertify your income and household composition once a year. If your income changes significantly during the year, you can report it and your rent share may go down. The voucher is yours to use as long as you follow program rules — you can move to a different unit and keep the same voucher, as long as the new unit meets standards and the landlord accepts Section 8.

Public housing in South Dakota

Public housing is rental property owned and managed by a local housing authority. In South Dakota, public housing includes apartment complexes and scattered single-family homes. Rent is based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though the exact calculation depends on the housing authority.

Public housing has its own waiting list, separate from Section 8. Some South Dakota housing authorities have public housing available while their Section 8 list is closed, so it is worth asking about both. Public housing units are inspected regularly and maintained by the housing authority, so you do not have to search for a unit or negotiate with a private landlord.

The downside is that you have less choice about where you live — you rent what the authority has available. You also cannot move your subsidy to a different landlord the way you can with a Section 8 voucher. If you want to move, you must explore to public housing in a different area and get on that waiting list.

Project-Based Rental information and other programs

Project-Based Rental information (PBRA) is a federal subsidy attached to a specific building rather than to you. If you live in a PBRA building, your rent is reduced, but if you move out, you lose the subsidy. PBRA buildings in South Dakota are scattered across the state, often in smaller towns and rural areas where Section 8 vouchers are scarce.

To find PBRA buildings, contact your local housing authority or search the HUD website for properties in your area. PBRA has its own waiting list, and availability depends on the building. Some buildings have no wait, while others may have a list. Unlike Section 8, you cannot choose your unit — you rent what is available in the building.

South Dakota also participates in the Housing Trust Fund, which provides grants to nonprofits and housing authorities to build or preserve affordable rental units. These units are not subsidized the way Section 8 or public housing are, but they are rented below market rate. Availability is limited and varies by location.

Emergency rental information in South Dakota

If you are behind on rent or facing eviction, emergency rental information may be available through your county or city. South Dakota administers these funds through local agencies — usually the county social services office or a nonprofit partner. The program pays your landlord directly for rent you already owe, not for future rent.

To find the program in your area, contact your county social services office or call 211 (a free helpline that connects you to local resources). You will need to provide proof of income, a signed lease, and documentation of the hardship — such as a job loss, medical emergency, or reduced hours. Approval typically takes two to six weeks.

Emergency rental funds are limited and programs may close when money runs out. If the program in your area is closed, ask when it may reopen or whether another county or nonprofit has funds available. Some programs prioritize people with active eviction cases, so having a court date may move you up the queue.

Differences between South Dakota housing authorities and what to expect

South Dakota has 15 local housing authorities, each serving a specific county or region. The largest are Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen. Smaller authorities serve rural counties and may have fewer units and longer wait times. Each authority sets its own policies within federal guidelines, so wait times, income limits, and process processes vary.

Rural South Dakota generally has fewer rental units and longer waits than cities. If you live in a rural county, you may find that the local housing authority has no Section 8 vouchers available or a wait of several years. In that case, Project-Based Rental information or emergency rental information may be your faster option.

Contact the housing authority that serves your area directly — they can tell you which programs are open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need. Most housing authorities have websites with process forms and contact information. If you are not sure which authority serves your area, call your county social services office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out which housing authority serves my county?

Contact your county social services office or call 211. You can also search the HUD website for housing authorities in South Dakota by county. Each authority's website lists the counties it serves and provides contact information and process details.

What if the Section 8 waiting list in my area is closed?

Ask the housing authority when it may reopen — some reopen annually, while others may stay closed for years. Ask to be added to a notification list if one exists. In the meantime, ask about public housing, Project-Based Rental information, or emergency rental information, which may have shorter waits.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher from one South Dakota county in another county?

Not initially. You must explore to and receive a voucher from the housing authority in the county where you live. Once you have a voucher, you can move to a different county and port it there, but the receiving authority must have available vouchers and accept your port-in request.

How long does it take to get Section 8 after I am approved?

Wait times vary by housing authority. Some move people off the waiting list within months, while others may take two to three years or longer. Once you are selected from the waiting list, you typically have 60 to 120 days to find a unit and sign a lease before the voucher expires.

What happens if I lose my job while I have a Section 8 voucher?

Report the change to your housing authority. Your income-based rent share will be recalculated and may go down. You can stay in your unit as long as you pay your share of the rent. If you cannot afford your share, contact your local emergency rental information program or a nonprofit that helps with rent.