Simplified: The St. Francis House is one step closer to an expansion that would create dozens more safe, affordable housing units on its central Sioux Falls campus. Here's what you need to know about the expansion plans.

Why it matters

  • The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday advanced a request to rezone a segment of the block to allow for construction of a new, three-story apartment building at the corner of East 8th Street and North Van Eps Avenue.
  • The first step, though, is raising between $9.5 and $10 million to pay for it, Executive Director Julie Becker said, adding that the nonprofit won't put a shovel into the ground until 100% of the funds for the project are either pledged or already in the bank.
  • The apartment building would create housing for people moving from the main St. Francis House shelter that lets them experience a higher level of independence but still receive case management support in a safe, sober setting.
    • But units will also be available for others in need of housing, Becker said, including teens graduating out of the foster care system, individuals with disabilities or veterans.
"I truly believe that we are more successful when we are all together, and we are working together," Becker said. "It’s about sharing those resources."

Tell me more about the building

The building would have 38 one-bedroom apartments, and residents would have access to the nonprofit's case management services while maintaining a higher level of independence than those in the main shelter.

  • It's a model the nonprofit has already seen success with at its Copper Arms apartment building, which opened last year, filled very quickly and currently has a wait list for new residents.

Becker said she's also excited about the additional space for collaboration with other social service agencies. The building plans include main floor offices that can be used by partner organizations like Face It Together, South Dakota Urban Indian Health, volunteer medical professionals and more.

"It’s really demonstrating to our community the true importance of collaboration, of having the services where the people need them to be," Becker said. "And at times – especially in the beginning – it needs to be right where they are."

The St. Francis House completed a feasibility study on the project and found that when their guests move to a transitional housing, like what the new apartments would provide, they're significantly more likely to be successful.

What happens next?

The fundraising is just getting started.

Becker said she's hoping to hear back on some significant funding opportunities that could speed up the project's timeline.

  • Regardless, her team will be gearing up to make asks soon, and the nonprofit is already approved for a Chamber Appeals Campaign next November – which Becker said she hopes to be the final stretch of fundraising.

Becker acknowledges the increasing donor fatigue in Sioux Falls, but she said donor's can feel confident these apartments would fill a real need.

"I can tell you, being at the St. Francis House for 20 years, this is the next step," Becker said, noting that nearly all of the 90 male beds in the main shelter are full.

How can I help?

You can learn more about ways to donate or volunteer here.

But Becker also wants to encourage folks to stop by the St. Francis House and see how it's changing lives.

"I want people to see the work we're doing and how they can be a part of the joy that we have every single day doing this work," she said.