Many individuals and families find themselves wondering how they will make their next month of rent, and there are many assistance programs that aim to ease this burden. If you’re a resident of South Dakota and seeking assistance with rent, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve gathered this actionable guide to some of the assistance programs that may be available to you and some of the resources you can consult to learn more.

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs in South Dakota

Here are some of the most popular statewide emergency rental assistance programs available to residents of South Dakota.

HUD Housing Choice Vouchers

Through the federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), eligible families and individuals may be able to receive rental assistance in the form of housing choice vouchers. These allow individuals to find affordable rental properties in the private market, giving them a range of choices in where they might live.

Housing choice vouchers are paid to landlords directly through the program, though renters must qualify based on their level of income relative to the local median income, as well as their immigration status, and household size. While local median incomes can vary, the general basic requirements include that your household income is at or less than 50% of the median and that you meet criteria regarding household size and immigration status.

What’s more, it’s important to understand that these are overseen by and issued through local public housing authorities. In order to apply, you’ll need to contact your local housing authority, determine the local median income, and see if you’re eligible. If you are, you can apply through the public housing authority for that area. For a list of public housing authorities in South Dakota, you can visit HUD’s website here.

United Way in South Dakota

United Way is a nonprofit organization with a number of smaller associations under it. In South Dakota, there are several United Way Associations, of which you can find a full list here.

While United Way is, itself, not a rental assistance program, they are dedicated to helping individuals and families connect with relevant resources for a number of reasons, including rental assistance and other housing issues. You can contact your local United Way association to learn more about the resources available to you, including whether there are any specific local rental assistance programs.

South Dakota Helpline Center

Like United Way, this isn’t directly a rental assistance program, but the South Dakota Helpline Center offers a range of resources designed to support South Dakotans — be it for mental health, general support, or even finding rental assistance. They can be reached by dialing 211 via phone, and they offer a number of resources designed to help.

USDA Rural Housing Section 515

The USDA subsidizes a number of homes throughout the country, including many in South Dakota. For renters, it may be possible to find subsidized housing through the program. One of the eligibility requirements includes your income level, which must be sufficiently below the median income for your local area.

The Helpline Center has a link to the USDA website, where you can enter a desired address or area and see eligibility requirements. You can find this search tool here.

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program

The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, is aimed at assisting homeless or near-homeless individuals, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligible individuals can apply via the South Dakota Housing website.

SD CARES

If you’ve been impacted by the Covid19 Pandemic, you may be eligible for assistance through the SD CARES program. This program offers housing assistance — including for renters — and is funded through federal Covid relief efforts. You can learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, how to apply, and a link to a frequently asked questions page on South Dakota Housing’s website here.

Getting Help for Your Family

Worrying about bills is one thing — but it can feel like another, entirely, when said bills will impact whether or not you have a place to stay when you sleep. Worrying about rent can be understandably nerve-wracking. Fortunately, there are often a number of means to seek assistance, ranging from local initiatives to federally funded programs. Often, the key to finding the right solution for you is learning more about what’s available.

Remember, though, you don’t need to take this on alone. There are resources available to help you find assistance, whether it’s through a local public housing authority, or through a federal agency such as the USDA. If you’re interested in learning about assistance in other states, don’t hesitate to check out more of our resources online, including our rental assistance program overview.