How to Find Low Income Housing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Finding low income housing in Sioux Falls usually means working through the local housing authority, South Dakota Housing Development Authority, and a mix of nonprofit landlords and subsidized apartment complexes. The fastest way to start is to contact the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission and check affordable properties listed by South Dakota Housing.

Rules, waiting lists, and eligibility can change based on your income, family size, and exact location in or around Sioux Falls, so always confirm details with the official office before you decide.

Quick summary: where to start in Sioux Falls

• Main agency: Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission (local housing authority)
• State partner: South Dakota Housing Development Authority (state housing agency)
• Most common programs: Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers, public/affordable housing, tax-credit (LIHTC) apartments
• First action today: Call or visit Sioux Falls Housing to ask about current waiting lists and how they’re accepting applications
• Backup action: Search for “South Dakota Housing Development Authority low income apartments” and call properties listed for Sioux Falls
• Expect next: A pre-application or full application, document requests, then placement on a waiting list or a denial/deferral notice

1. Who actually handles low income housing in Sioux Falls?

In Sioux Falls, two key official systems handle most low income housing:

• The Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission is the local housing authority that typically manages:

  • Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers
  • Some public housing or project-based assistance
  • Local waiting lists, eligibility processing, and inspections

• The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is the state housing agency that:

  • Oversees Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties
  • Helps fund and regulate many “affordable” apartment complexes
  • Publishes lists or tools to locate income-restricted units across the state

To avoid scams, look for “.gov” addresses or websites that clearly identify themselves as the official housing authority or state housing agency, and only use phone numbers and contact info from those official sites or from city/county government pages.

Key terms to know:

• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A subsidy that helps you pay rent to a private landlord; you pay a portion based on your income and the voucher covers the rest up to a limit.
• Public Housing — Apartments or homes owned/managed by a housing authority, with rent based on your income.
• LIHTC / Tax-Credit Property — Privately owned apartments built with tax credits that are required to keep rents affordable for lower-income tenants.
• Waiting List — A queue managed by the housing authority or property; you’re usually placed on it after your pre-application is accepted.

2. First actions to take today in Sioux Falls

Your most productive immediate action is to contact the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission and confirm:

• Which programs (Section 8, public housing, etc.) are open for applications
• How they are currently accepting applications: online, by mail, or in person
• Whether they have local preferences (for example, homeless households, veterans, or people who live or work in Sioux Falls)

If you prefer the phone, you can use a simple script like:
“Hi, I live in/near Sioux Falls and I’m looking for low income housing. Can you tell me what programs are open right now and how I can apply or get on your waiting list?”

Next, use SDHDA as a second track:

• Search for your state’s official “South Dakota Housing Development Authority affordable housing search” portal.
• Filter for Sioux Falls and surrounding communities.
• Make a short list of 5–10 properties labeled as income-based, tax-credit, or affordable.

Then call each property directly, ask if they are accepting applications, and what their current rent range and waiting time are.

3. What you need to prepare before you apply

Housing staff in Sioux Falls commonly ask for proof that you meet income and household requirements and that you are who you say you are. Having documents ready speeds things up and can keep your application from getting skipped.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Photo ID — Such as a driver’s license, state ID, or other government-issued identification for adult household members.
• Proof of income — Recent pay stubs, Social Security benefit letters, unemployment benefits statement, or other income records for the last 30–60 days.
• Social Security cards or numbers — For everyone in the household, if available; some programs often require SSNs or a statement if someone doesn’t have one.

Other items that are often required or very helpful:

• Birth certificates for children in the household
• Current lease or eviction notice, if you’re already renting
• Utility bills or other mail showing your current address
• Immigration documents if any household members are non-citizens applying under eligible categories

Before you go in person or submit an application, call the housing authority or property manager and ask: “What documents do you need from me to accept my application today?” This reduces the chance you have to come back multiple times.

4. Step-by-step: applying for low income housing in Sioux Falls

Below is a practical sequence that fits how the system usually works in Sioux Falls and around South Dakota.

1. Confirm the correct housing authority and state resources

   • Action: Identify the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission as your primary housing authority and South Dakota Housing Development Authority as your main state-level resource.
   • What to expect next: You’ll find program descriptions, eligibility summaries, and contact details; the housing authority will typically confirm whether they handle Section 8 vouchers, public housing, or both.

2. Check which waiting lists are open

   • Action:Call or visit Sioux Falls Housing and ask which programs’ waiting lists are currently open, and how to submit a pre-application.
   • What to expect next: Staff will usually tell you whether they are accepting new names for Section 8 vouchers and/or public housing, and may direct you to an online form, paper packet, or scheduled intake time.

3. Gather your required documents

   • Action: Based on what the office tells you, collect your IDs, proof of income, Social Security cards/numbers, and any housing-related papers (such as eviction notices or leases).
   • What to expect next: With your documents ready, you’ll be able to fill out the application in one sitting, and staff can more easily verify your information without repeated follow-up.

4. Submit your application or pre-application

   • Action:Complete the application as directed: online through the official housing authority portal, mailing in a packet, or turning it in at the housing authority office. Sign everywhere required and double-check your contact information.
   • What to expect next: You’ll usually receive either a confirmation letter/number or an acknowledgment that your pre-application has been received. This does not mean you’re approved; it usually means you’re placed on a waiting list or pending further review.

5. Get on lists at individual affordable properties

   • Action: From the SDHDA list of Sioux Falls affordable housing, call several LIHTC or income-based properties and ask to apply or be added to their waiting list.
   • What to expect next: Each property may require a separate application and charge a modest application fee; they will typically tell you their current occupancy and approximate wait time, if any.

6. Respond promptly to follow-ups

   • Action: Watch your mail, email, and phone for housing authority or property messages, especially any requests for extra documents, signatures, or interviews; answer quickly and keep copies of what you send.
   • What to expect next: If everything checks out and a unit or voucher becomes available, you may receive a formal offer, briefing appointment, or approval letter with next-step instructions, such as attending an orientation or finding a landlord that accepts vouchers.

7. Prepare for inspections and move-in steps (for vouchers or public housing)

   • Action: If you receive a voucher, work with landlords who agree to the program; the housing authority will usually schedule an inspection of the unit. For public or project-based housing, you’ll typically sign a lease and go through move-in rules with the manager.
   • What to expect next: After passing inspection and signing your lease, you begin paying your income-based portion of rent, and the housing authority or state program pays the rest directly to the landlord, according to program rules.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common snag in Sioux Falls and similar cities is that Section 8 and public housing waiting lists may be closed for long periods or open only for a short window, and applications that arrive outside that window are not accepted. To manage this, ask the housing authority to put you on a notification list if they use one, check their official portal regularly, and in the meantime focus on LIHTC and other income-based properties, local nonprofit housing providers, and short-term shelter or rental assistance options while you wait.

6. Legitimate local help options (beyond the housing authority)

Alongside the main housing authority and state housing agency, Sioux Falls residents often find help through local nonprofits and service providers that understand the housing system and can help with forms or short-term support.

Useful types of organizations to contact in the Sioux Falls area include:

• Community action agencies — They typically help with rental assistance, security deposits, and referrals to low income housing, especially for very low-income households.
• Homeless services / shelters — These agencies often have case managers who can help you get on waiting lists faster and write homeless status letters that some programs give priority to.
• Legal aid organizations — If you’re dealing with eviction, unsafe housing, or discrimination, they can sometimes help you challenge illegal actions or negotiate more time while you search.
• Faith-based and charitable organizations — Some churches and charities in Sioux Falls offer short-term hotel vouchers, move-in assistance, or help with application fees for low income rentals.

When looking up these organizations:

• Search for your county name + “community action” or “Sioux Falls legal aid housing”.
• Check that they are nonprofits, government agencies, or known charities, not for-profit “application services” that charge high fees.
• Ask directly: “Do you help people apply for Section 8 or income-based housing in Sioux Falls?”

Because housing involves money, identity, and benefits, be cautious of anyone who guarantees approval, asks you to pay to get higher on a waiting list, or wants your Social Security number over text or social media. Pay only standard application fees directly to verified landlords or agencies, and when in doubt, verify with the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission or South Dakota Housing Development Authority before sharing sensitive information.

Once you’ve taken the steps above—contacting the housing authority, checking state-listed properties, gathering your documents, and getting yourself on multiple waiting lists—you are in the best position to move forward as units and vouchers become available.