How to get help funding home repairs

Simplified: A new city program is giving homeowners up to $5,000 for repairs.

Why it matters

Sioux Falls' new Safety and Home Repair Grant Program aims to help maintain safe, healthy homes, said Kevin Smith, assistant director of planning and development services.
Qualified homeowners can get up to $5,000 to spend on repairs ranging from painting to sidewalk repairs to replacement of faulty plumbing, electrical work, roofs, windows, etc.
The program is funded by $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act coronavirus relief funds. That means it has to be spent by December 2024, Smith said.

"Our goal is to get as much money to those needed property owners as quickly as we can," Smith told the City Council on Tuesday.

People in low-to-moderate income households.

For reference, Smith said the qualifying household income for a family of four in Sioux Falls is about $53,600 per year.

The property must be within city limits and structurally sound (but in need of repairs).

Repair funds can't be used on properties that are intended for resale, so, if you're looking to flip your house with these funds, look elsewhere.

The funds also cannot be used on mobile homes or rental properties.

The application is available online.

You can also go online and print a PDF application to mail in, or you can call the city housing division at 605-367-8180.