In addition, SDHDA’s website maintains up-to-date listings for apartments and rental homes across the state through sdhousIngsearch.com. You can search by location, distance to school, rental costs, number of bedrooms and proximity to public transportation. Most of the listings also include property photos. The site is free to tenants and property managers who want to list their rentals. 

The site has a rent calculator to determine how much you can afford to pay, a moving cost calculator, a budget worksheet and a printable renter checklist to help in your housing search. 

“Moving out of the dorm and into your own apartment can be an important milestone for a young adult. You are making a lot of decisions for the first time,” said Mark Lauseng, SDHDA Executive Director. “Our website can answer a lot of questions you might have, and help you make the right decisions.” 

While the federally assisted properties generally cannot rent to students, landlords with conventionally financed apartments throughout the state can.  Some students, especially non-traditional students, those with families or veterans, might qualify for one of the rental assistance programs offered through South Dakota Housing Development Authority. The SDHDA website can help you determine whether you qualify. There is also information about the process for applying. 

South Dakota Housing Development Authority is an independent, quasi-public agency that finances and develops affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents throughout South Dakota. SDHDA is totally self-supporting and receives no tax money, appropriations or other funding from the state. For more information, visit www.sdhda.org. 

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