SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Despite a strong start to the One Sioux Falls Fund, aimed at easing housing insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Paul TenHaken says he’s still looking for more donations.
Speaking on the Greg Belfrage Show Wednesday, TenHaken said the support for the fund is “incredible,” but the need from the community has been just as stark. More than 2,500 people have applied for assistance from the fund.
“If you say the average applicant needs maybe $1,000 to extend their rent a month, that pretty much eats up the entire fund,” TenHaken said.
The mayor said the fund has about $3.1 million available. That includes $1 million in public funding. Billionaire T. Denny Sanford made a $1 million donation to the fund on March 31.
Those interested in donating to the fund can do so here.
TenHaken issued a non-binding proclamation Monday urging residents to practice social distancing during the pandemic.
The mayor told Belfrage he was particularly concerned about crowding at grocery stores. The proclamation asks each household to designate one person to do the shopping and encourages retailers to limit the number of people in their stores.
