Regional Administrator Rick Garcia participates in ribbon cutting ceremony for new affordable housing project in Sioux Falls.

The property at 505 S. Duluth Avenue in Sioux Falls used to be a dilapidated eye sore of a building. The Sioux Falls Housing Corporation in conjunction with the city of Sioux Falls utilized Neighborhood Stabilization funds, HOME funds and city funds to purchase the property, raze the building and build new affordable efficiency apartments. The efficiency apartments average 321 square feet and are affordable to single occupants with an annual income of less than 40% of the median income ($19,360). Rents range from $310 to $395 monthly, including utilities.

Six of the eight units are already spoken for, with the first occupant moving in on the first of December, 2010. Residents are extremely pleased with their living arrangement. One resident was homeless and living in her car prior to moving into these apartments. Another resident is a disabled veteran. Over 90% of the funding for this project was provided through HUD.

For information on renting one of these units, contact Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission at (605) 332-0704.