The South Dakota Housing Authority, along with local partner agencies, is providing financial assistance to South Dakota residents who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to Qualify

Who is eligible?
To be eligible for assistance, tenants must meet the following criteria:
1. Your household income falls below the required income limits based on county of residence and household size. Click here to see the Rental Income Guidelines.
2. One or more household members have qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced reduced income, suffered significant cost, or experienced some other financial hardship directly or indirectly related to the COVID pandemic.
3. One or more household members have received a past due notice or have proof they are at risk of homelessness or housing instability.

How do I apply?
The application process takes approximately 15 minutes. Once you submit your application, program representatives will contact your landlord and/or utility provider for more information. Your employer will be contacted if you have indicated on your application that your job was affected by the pandemic.

To begin the application process, you will need to provide an email address and phone number for yourself and the landlord/property owner and utility provider to whom you owe past due amounts.

After you complete the application, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing your application dashboard. You are required to use the dashboard to upload verifying documentation regarding your identity, financial situation, and amounts owed.

Documents you will need include:
1. Proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, tribal ID, state issued identification)
2. Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment benefits letter, and tax returns)
3. Proof you owe past due amounts

Start the application process here.

FAQ

Do I have to reapply if I already received rent assistance from SDCHAP?
Yes. This is a new program, and you need to submit a new application.

Do you have to be negatively impacted by COVID to apply?
Yes. You are required to show negative financial or economic hardship related directly or indirectly by the COVID outbreak.

Can I use my smartphone to apply?
Yes. You can complete the application and upload the necessary documents using your smartphone.

Do unemployment benefits count as income?
Yes. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, you must include them in your listing of income.

Are there housing costs that aren’t covered?
Yes. These funds may not be used to replace federal assistance programs (Section 8, Housing Choice Voucher, CSBG, ESG, CoC,), or pay for mortgage payments or cell phone calls. The program will provide assistance to pay for the renter portion of rent for individuals living in subsidized housing.

What counties are covered?
The program covers all the counties in South Dakota.

What do I do if I need help with my application?
Call 211, and you will get assistance with the process.

How much help can I receive?
Approved applicants can receive a maximum of 12 months of past due rent and utility assistance dating back to March 13, 2020. There is no cap on the amount of assistance available. Past due amounts will be paid first with future rent paid by the remaining funds. The program will run through September 30, 2022 or as long as funds are available.

Can I be reimbursed for rent I’ve already paid?
No. Funds cannot be used to reimburse. They are only available for amounts owed.

Do I have to count my stimulus checks as income?
No. Do not include stimulus checks in your list of income.

My rent isn’t late yet, but I have been laid off and won’t be able to pay it next month. Should I apply now?
Yes. Households that are still current on rent are eligible for assistance.

My rent is due today. Can the program pay it today?
No. It takes seven to fourteen days to complete the application process. After that, it takes approximately seven to ten days for the check to arrive in the mail.

How are payments made?
Funds are sent directly to landlords and utility providers via U.S. mail. It takes approximately seven to ten days for them to arrive.

Does the program cover late fees?
Yes. Reasonable fees that were incurred after March 13, 2020 and that are related to COVID are covered.

Does the program cover rent application fees?
Possibly. The program may assist with application fees, rent, and utility bills, and sometimes, security deposits for new housing.

My landlord is still trying to evict me even though I am working to bring my balance current. Can he do that?
This program does not provide legal advice. Contact the State Bar of South Dakota for assistance.

I am staying in a motel temporarily. Will the program pay for my room?
No. Assistance is limited to helping keep renters in current housing.

If you’re subletting your apartment from someone else, can you get assistance?
No. Funds are only available for the original tenant.

I am renting under a rent with option to purchase agreement. Am I eligible for assistance?
Yes, as long as the following is true:
1. No one in the household is a signer or cosigner on the mortgage.
2. No one in the household holds the title or deed to the property.
3. No one in the household has exercised the option to purchase.