We’ve found SD rent assistance programs that can help you with your housing costs! Whether you’re facing eviction or just need a little extra help this month, these resources should be able to help.
Statewide SD Rent Assistance
There are a few programs that are available to all South Dakota residents across the state.
SD Cares Housing Assistance Program
The SD Cares Housing Assistance Program is the official COVID-19 SD rent assistance program. If you have been financially impacted by the pandemic, you may be eligible.
What does SD Cares do?
SD Cares provides temporary mortgage, rent and utility assistance to eligible residents. You could receive up to 12 months of assistance from this program! There’s no limit on the dollar amount assistance provided for each month.
The payments are made directly to the landlord, mortgage servicer or utility company and the payments do not have to be paid back. The funds available are based on individual need.
Who is eligible for SD Cares?
In order to be eligible for SD Cares, you must meet these requirements:
- You must be a renter or homeowner in South Dakota.
- You must have income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (for rental assistance) or 100% of the AMI (for mortgage assistance).
- You must have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
- You must owe past-due rent, mortgage or utilities payments, or be unable to meet current housing expenses
How do I apply for SD Cares?
You can apply online at SDCaresHousingAssistance.com. Be prepared to provide a photo ID, copy of your current agreements or past due bills, proof of income and documentation related to your hardship. Additional documentation may also be requested when your paperwork is processed.
Security Deposit Assistance Program (SDAP)
If you need help moving into a rental and can’t afford the security deposit, you may be able to get assistance from the Security Deposit Assistance Program! These funds help low income families get affordable housing. These funds are given from the USDA to the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, who passes the funds on to local Public Housing Authorities and non-profit agencies. In order to get the help, you will need to contact the SDHDA or your local Public Housing Authority for details.
Community Action Partnerships
If you need SD rent assistance, it’s always a great idea to check your local Community Action agency.
For example, the Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership provides rental assistance when funds are available. This organization serves a 14 county area including Brookings County, Codington County, Deuel County, Grant County, Hamlin County, Kingsbury County, Lake County, Lincoln County, McCook County, Miner County, Minnehaha County, Moody County and Turner County.
GROW SD is also a Community Action agency that may be able to assist with rent. This organization serves Beadle County, Brown County, Campbell County, Day County, Edmunds County, Faulk County, Hand County, Hughes County, Hyde County, McPherson County, Marshall County, Potter County, Roberts County, Spink County, Stanley County, Sully County and Walworth County.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a nationwide organization that often provides rental assistance. The services offered vary by branch and may not be available in all areas. However, the Salvation Army does have locations in Aberdeen, Britton, Huron, Lake Andes, Madison, Mitchell, Mobridge, Murdo, Pierre, Rapid City, Redfield, Spearfish, Wagner, Watertown Winner and more.
Nationwide Rental Assistance Programs
There are some programs that provide assistance with rent all over the United States! For even more ways to get help with your rent, check this list!
Local SD Rent Assistance
There are local organizations that may be able to provide additional rent assistance in South Dakota as well.
Beadle County
Beadle County Welfare Office
The Beadle County Welfare Office provides financial assistance as a last resort. You are expected to exhaust all other options for help before requesting assistance from them. However, they can assist with rent, utilities, food, medical, hospitalization costs and burial expenses.
Brookings County
My Neighbor (Brookings)
My Neighbor is an organization that helps people connect with the benefits and programs they may be eligible for. Specifically, they strive to help the working poor who often don’t qualify for assistance. Their self-sufficiency program is only open to people that live and work in Brookings.
Brown County
Brown County Welfare Office (Aberdeen)
The Brown County Welfare Office can provide assistance with rent, utilities, burial and medical expenses. However, their website indicates that this assistance is a loan and a lien will be filed against you by the county that will have to be repaid in full.
Codington County
Codington County Welfare Office (Watertown)
The Codington County Welfare Office can provide emergency assistance with rent, utilities, groceries and transportation.
Davison County
Davison County Welfare Office (Mitchell)
The Davison County Welfare Office can assist with rent, medical and funeral expenses as a last resort. You are expected to try all other methods of help first. However, they will put a lien against you for receiving this one-time assistance.
Lake County
Lake County Welfare Office (Madison)
The Lake County Welfare Office can assist with housing, utilities, food, transportation, medical, burial and funeral costs.
Lawrence County
Lawrence County Assistance (Deadwood)
This government organization can provide assistance with rent, utilities and burials. Rent and utilities assistance can only be approved once every twelve months.
Lincoln County
Faith in Action (Beresford)
Faith in Action assists with food and basic needs. According to their Facebook page, they also offer rent assistance.
Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Canton (Canton)
Love Inc. provides help and assistance to those who live in the Greater Canton area. Their organization offers a clothing closet, backpack ministry, baby ministry and may offer some rental assistance according to various sources.
Minnehaha County
The Community Outreach (Sioux Falls)
The Community Outreach is a partnership dedicated to helping the working poor in the Sioux Empire. They provide bus passes, auto repair services, housing assistance and more.
Minnehaha County Human Services (Sioux Falls)
The County’s Human Services Department may be able to assist with certain financial needs, including bus passes, rent and more. Details can be found on their website.
Sioux Falls Housing & Redevelopment Commission (Sioux Falls)
The SFHRC operates seven programs that help people afford their rent. These programs include:
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
- Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation
- Section 8 Project-Based Multi-Family Housing
- Veteran’s Administrative Supportive Housing (VASH)
- Shelter Plus Care
- Bright Futures (HOME Tenant Based Rental)
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA)
For more information about these programs, visit the Sioux Falls Housing website.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Sioux Falls)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a nationwide network of Churches. These partners often offer assistance with rent, food and other needs but the assistance is usually limited to people who live within parish boundaries.
Volunteers of America – Dakotas (Sioux Falls)
This organization provides several methods of SD rent assistance.
Veterans may benefit from the Transition in Place program. The program helps veterans find housing in community-based apartments for 6-24 months. At the end of the program, the veterans assume the lease. The program assist with rent, furniture, food, utilities, transportation and more.
Young adults ages 16-21 may be able to participate in Axis180. This program assists with safe, affordable housing, as well as life skills training, interpersonal skills, education completion, job prep skills and more.
Pennington County
The Cornerstone Rescue Mission (Rapid City)
The Cornerstone Rescue Mission operates several ministries. They assist people who are experiencing homelessness with meals, clothing, shelter, transportation to and from jobs, personal needs items and more. They also provide assistance for veterans and even operate low income Permanent Supportive Housing units. Their website also indicates that they assist with rent and rental deposits but the eligibility requirements are not clear.
Pennington County Health & Human Services (Rapid City)
The County office provides economic assistance to those who qualify, including SD rent assistance. They can also assist with transportation, utilities and utility deposits, funeral expenses and medical assistance.
Yankton County
Yankton County Welfare Office
The Yankton County Welfare office provides a food pantry, holiday food baskets and financial assistance. According to a flyer on their website, this includes assistance with rent, heating, medications, gas/oil, clothing and other crisis needs.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.