The News is Good.

South Dakota’s economy shows signs of improvement.

SDHDA recently offered a $100 million bond issue to continue the 30-year fixed mortgage rate for First-time Homebuyers at 4.95% and to carry on in our pursuit of raising $2 billion in support of affordable housing in South Dakota by the year 2010.

Applications for the Housing Tax Credit and HOME Program cycle, which ended in February, reflect nearly a two to one ratio. Everywhere you look in our two major cities, and the larger economic centers in between, commercial and housing development is robust.

We are in the process of delivering this year’s crucial federal funding to the emergency shelters around the State and of making application for this year’s Continuum of Care Program, funding to help end homelessness by 2012.
In addition, we have agreed to partner with Fannie Mae to co-sponsor a special Housing Tax Credit training targeted specifically to developers and leaders on the State’s nine Indian Reservations, and we are in the early stages of planning this fall’s Annual Housing Conference to be held November 8 and 9 in Pierre.

The accomplishments do not come, however, without at least modest concerns about the diminishing role of the federal government in support of affordable housing; the continuing struggle of our smallest communities which battle to survive and to provide the services for our aging populations, yet offer a vibrant, sustaining economy and excellence in education for our youngest citizens. We had an opportunity earlier this spring to visit the State’s congressional offices in Washington, DC, to share affordable housing accomplishments and goals for South Dakota.


We believe that we have a proven cadre of programs which are designed to employ private enterprise and entice private investment into building and financing affordable, quality housing. However, as times change, programs must change as well. As we send off this newsletter, the entire SDHDA staff is preparing for its annual in-house strategic planning and business plan building and improvement sessions.

We have generally relied upon federal resources for grants and subsidies while advocating SDHDA’s efforts for support of affordable housing finance and development in areas of economic development and expansion and to preserve existing housing in communities that will prevail as economic centers in their regions. As you read this newsletter, if you have concerns, suggestions, and new ideas, please contact someone on the team at SDHDA to ensure that we have your input as we gather in our strategic planning sessions.

As always, I wish to express our gratification to you, our partners, for helping make a difference in South Dakota and to the SDHDA staff for their determination and contribution toward “Building a Better Qualify of Life” on this land that we love!


Dar Baum, Executive Director, SDHDA

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Purchase Prices and Income Limits Increase for First-time Homebuyers

In February, the South Dakota Housing Development Authority Board of Commissioners increased the Purchase Price Limits for the First-time Homebuyer Program. Also increased were the Income Limits for the program, expanding the opportunity to more potential homebuyers.

The Purchase Price Limit, which is established by the Internal Revenue Service, increased to $204,432 for both existing and new construction single family homes in most counties. That limit rises to $249,862 for certain federally designated Targeted Areas, including parts of Bennett, Buffalo, Corson, Dewey, Jackson, Shannon, Lyman, Todd, and Zeibach Counties.

“The increase is welcome,” said Dar Baum, SDHDA Executive Director. “However, it is still the family’s income that governs the purchase price of the home they can afford.”

Income Limits vary depending on the county where the home is being purchased.
For more information about the First-time Homebuyer Program and SDHDA’s full line of affordable downpayment and closing cost assistance programs, visit www.sdhda.org.

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Citigroup Supports H.E.R.O.

The Citigroup Foundation continues to show that Homeownership is important by granting $17,500 to the Homeownership Education Resource Organization (H.E.R.O.).
Pictured (L to R): Brent Adney, SDHDA Director of Homeownership Programs, Grace Backman, H.E.R.O. State Coordinator, Jerry Nachtigal, Citibank VP of Public and Government Affairs, and Greg Jasmer, SDHDA Director of
Marketing and Research.

Jerry Nachtigal, Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for Citibank South Dakota, presented the check to H.E.R.O., citing “Citigroup realizes the vital importance of homebuyer education in strengthening American communities.”
This financial support will aid H.E.R.O.’s partnering service providers in the implementation, frequency and efficiency of homebuyer education in South Dakota.

H.E.R.O. partners include Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Lutheran Social Services in Sioux Falls; Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the Black Hills, Rapid City; the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership, Sioux Falls; Neighborhood Housing Services of the Black Hills, Inc., Deadwood; Homes Are Possible, Inc., Aberdeen; and Northeastern South Dakota Community Action Program, Sisseton.

“We are extremely appreciative of Citibank South Dakota and the Citigroup Foundation for recognizing the validity of our goals,” said Grace Backman, H.E.R.O. Statewide Coordinator.

Companies within Citigroup’s umbrella in South Dakota are Citibank South Dakota, NA; Salomon Smith Barney; Prime America; and CitiFinancial.
For more information on H.E.R.O., contact Ms. Backman at 605-773-3181 or visit H.E.R.O. online at www.sdhda.org/hero.

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Governor Rounds Proclaims April Fair Housing Month

In celebration of the 37th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Law, Governor Michael Rounds has officially proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in South Dakota.

The Fair Housing Act adopted by Congress and signed into law on April 11, 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing related transactions, based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).

In his proclamation, Governor Rounds states, “I urge all citizens to abide by the Federal Fair Housing Law and to acknowledge the needs of all of our citizens to be afforded housing opportunities free from all discrimination.”

South Dakota, like other states, has seen a tremendous growth in minority population, particularly Sioux Falls. Governor Rounds is taking this opportunity to remind South Dakotans of the opportunities they present to the home rental, sales, and lending communities.

Currently, the Departments of Justice and Housing and Urban Development enforce the Fair Housing Law. The Department of Justice litigates Fair Housing cases in court, while the Department of Housing and Urban Development investigates and attempts to resolve complaints of housing discrimination.
For more information about the Fair Housing Act, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website www.hud.gov.

Fair Housing Workshops

In recognition of Fair Housing Month in South Dakota, a series of workshops on the fundamentals of Fair Housing are being held around the State. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the North Dakota Fair Housing Council, a complete list of times is listed on the calendar of events. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to 1-888-265-0907.

 

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Surveys Help SDHDA Learn About Buyers

One year ago, SDHDA began sending out surveys to First-time Homebuyers in an effort to learn more about how the Authority can improve its service. Since then, nearly 2,500 surveys have been distributed, with SDHDA receiving more than 40% response rate.

Buyers Indicate Education Would be a Benefit

Nearly 15% of the respondents indicate they had taken a homebuyer education class prior to purchasing their home.

Sixty-five percent (65%) said “yes” when asked if they thought a homebuyer education class would have been helpful.

One respondent commented, “I would recommend all First-time Homebuyers take an education class. It was helpful in more ways than one.”

“With the continued emphasis and awareness of the great education opportunities available through the Homeownership Education Resource Organization’s (H.E.R.O.) partnering service providers, we see the number of applicants receiving education increasing,” commented Grace Backman, State Coordinator of H.E.R.O.

Participating Lenders Get Good Marks Overall

More than 80% of those responding to the survey rated their lender “excellent” or “above average” in customer service.

One homebuyer commented “I didn’t think I would qualify, but with the wonderful help from my lender I realized my dream of homeownership as a single person was 100% possible.”

For information on SDHDA’s Homeownership Programs or to learn more about the Homeownership Education Resource Organization (H.E.R.O.), visit www.sdhda.org.

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Housing for the Homeless Consortium Releases Statewide Count Results and New Website

On January 25th, volunteers from across the state took part in a collaborative effort to count the state’s homeless population. The Survey identified 1,029 homeless individuals: 785 adults and 244 children.

While only 19 were found living in cars or the street, 1,010 were still without shelter, a fourth of these children; living among hotels, temporary shelters and transitional housing.

The surveys identified housing as the greatest need, followed by medical/dental care, housing placement services, transportation, job skills training, and food or food stamps.

The Housing for the Homeless Consortium was created in 2001 to unite all who work to provide shelter, jobs, food, education, health care and private or public support to those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.

The latest tool in helping to coordinate services and resources is the release of the new Housing for the Homeless Consortium website. The website includes complete resources for the homeless, those who wish to help and resource organizations. In addition, a calendar of upcoming events and news is also available. The site can be found at www.housingforthehomeless.org.

All who are interested in getting involved in improving the system and providing needed services to the homeless and at-risk population are encouraged to e-mail lisab@sdhda.org or call (605) 773-3181 to obtain information regarding the next Housing for the Homeless meeting scheduled for May 10 and 11 at Cedar Shores Resort, Oacoma.

Since its inception, the Statewide Consortium has received grants totaling $5.3 million from the HUD Continuum of Care Program to provide development, operating, and supportive service funding to a variety of homeless programs. In January, $1.7 million was awarded for a new permanent supportive housing program for the chronic homeless with disabilities in Rapid City, a Homeless Management Information System to simplify the intake process for people accessing services, and the renewal of several programs in Sioux Falls and other areas of the State.

 

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South Dakota Receives Continuum of Care Funding

Recently, HUD announced that South Dakota will receive $2,085,081 to provide shelter and care for persons and families without a home of their own. The funding to South Dakota is part of more than $1.4 billion announced nationwide—the largest single commitment of federal funds supporting an unprecedented number of local projects on the front lines of caring for people who might otherwise be living on the streets.

SUMMARY OF SOUTH DAKOTA HOMELESS FUNDING

Pennington County
Housing and Redevelopment Commission
Supplies housing subsidies to allow homeless to
find housing and other needed services.

$739,260

Inter-Lakes Community Action, Inc.
Renewal funding for Heartland House in Sioux Falls

$254,498

Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services.
Renewal funding for services at this project in Yankton

$380,934

Housing for the Homeless Consortium
Funding for a statewide Homeless Management Information System through South Dakota Housing Development Authority

$146,330

American Indian Services, Inc.
Renewal funding for this ongoing program in Sioux Falls

$113,784

Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission
Renewal funding for housing subsidies and
services for homeless in Sioux Falls

$108,300

__________________________________
TOTAL $1,743,106
EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANTS
State of South Dakota $ 341,975
___________________________________
STATE TOTAL FUNDING $2,085,081

Applications for the 2005 Continuum of Care Cycle
are due to SDHDA by April 22, 2005.

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HOME and Housing Tax Credit Applications Exceed Available Funds

Requests for HOME funding and Housing Tax Credits have exceeded available funds by nearly two to one.

Applicants who did not meet the February 28, 2005, deadline are encouraged to continue working on applications in the event additional funds become available or to be ready for next year’s application cycle.

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Lender Training Schedule Announced

ight Lender Training sessions to learn and discuss SDHDA’s Homeownership Program are scheduled for April 21 - May 6. Sessions will be held in Ft. Pierre, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Check the calendar on page 8 for a complete schedule or visit online at www.sdhda.org.

“The sessions grow in popularity every year. We try to have a lot of fun in a relaxed atmosphere while educating participants,” says Brent Adney, Director of Homeownership Programs.

For more information, please call Brent Adney at (605)773-3181 or e-mail brent@sdhda.org.

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HOSPITALITY APARTMENTS
Helping Create a Meaningful Life

Sioux Vocational was created in 1958 to give those with disabilities a chance at a meaningful life. The organization, based in Sioux Falls, provides services to citizens with disabilities by helping them gain independence, learn everyday skills, be involved in the community and live a healthy lifestyle.

Part of this goal is met by providing residential services. One such residential facility is known as the Hospitality Apartments. Located in southwest Sioux Falls, the complex includes 12 one-bedroom units.

The Hospitality Apartments are a collaboration of duplexes, known as Terry and Gateway; Terry serves 6 male residents who have experienced traumatic brain injury, and Gateway serves 6 female residents who are receiving other services from Sioux Vocational. A ramp, sunroom and respite room with a bathroom were added on to the Terry side and a Physical Occupational Therapy room and office were added on the Gateway side, joining them as one large complex. In addition, a new larger kitchen was added to Terry. The renovation began in October 2004, and, a month later, the first gentlemen who had experienced brain injury were able to move in.

Services currently provided at Hospitality include physical therapy, occupational therapy; training in daily skills, budgeting, cooking, laundry, cognitive skills and safety. Residents have access to the community and take part in a variety of events. At this time, the state of South Dakota has no other organization that offers both residential and vocation opportunities to those with traumatic brain injuries. Sioux Vocational is hoping to expand their services to meet the needs of any person who has experienced traumatic brain injury.

For more information about Hospitality Apartments, please contact Sioux Vocational Services at 605-274-1331 or www.siouxvocational.org.

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