SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The City of Sioux Falls and Habitat for Humanity are partnering on a new affordable housing development in the Norton Neighborhood in northeast Sioux Falls.
Habitat for Humanity will construct 26 twin homes for families at 30 to 60 percent of the area median income.
One unit will be reserved for a veteran and another for a teacher earning 80 percent of area medium income.
For this project, Habitat for Humanity is provided with a $100,000 subsidy from the City to purchase land.
Below is the full release from the City.
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Sioux Falls, South Dakota: The City of Sioux Falls and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls are partnering on a new affordable housing development in the Norton Neighborhood of northeast Sioux Falls. Through this partnership, Habitat for Humanity will construct 26 twin homes for families at 30 to 60 percent of the area median income. One unit will be reserved for a veteran and another for a teacher earning 80 percent of AMI.
“Habitat for Humanity has been building affordable homes in Sioux Falls for more than 30 years, while the housing industry has continued to change,” said Rocky Welker, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls. “We continually assess our strategies and explore new partnerships to keep the dream of homeownership attainable. This collaboration between the City of Sioux Falls and Habitat demonstrates that we can accomplish more for our community by working together and taking innovative approaches to address housing concerns.”
The Norton Neighborhood project is the first City Neighborhood Revitalization project reflecting the City’s new approach to the program. The City’s new approach leverages limited taxpayer dollars and community partnerships to make a greater impact to the area’s housing needs. For this project, Habitat for Humanity is provided with a $100,000 subsidy from the City to purchase land. The area will also serve as a pilot area for low-impact development best practices.
In the past, the City would finance an entire project from demolition of a structure or land purchase through to the construction and sale of the home. A federal subsidy of $100,000 would have only produced one or two affordable homes with an investment of $40,000 of federal dollars and $150,000–170,000 of City funds per home.
“Housing availability and affordability is a challenge most cities are facing today, and Sioux Falls is no exception,” said Mayor Paul TenHaken. “Through strong partnerships and wise investments, we’re making a big impact in the community when it comes to housing. Today, we’re helping generate 26 new homes with $100,000 of City and federal funds. That’s exactly what I consider an innovative, One Sioux Falls approach to housing.”
A core tenant of the One Sioux Falls framework, the City is focused on fostering the availability of housing options at all income levels throughout the city. Partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity are key to helping the City reach its goal of creating and preserving 1,000 dwelling units in the coming years. Achieving this goal will increase the supply of affordable homes available for working families in Sioux Falls.
The City Council approved the Norton Neighborhood project on March 3. Infrastructure construction is expected to begin in fall 2020 and home construction in spring 2021. Applications open for these units on April 1, 2020.
More information on Habitat for Humanity can be found at siouxfallshabitat.org.
