The best problem-solving happens when the people impacted the most contribute ideas and share what they know. And nothing can be done to fix problems if no one knows about the core issues and the right people aren’t at the table.
Engage South Dakota seeks to change that.
South Dakota News Watch, the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota and Dakota Resources are partnering to identify and share ideas that can solve some of the state's most-pressing housing problems. This story will serve as a repository of those ideas that will be updated and can be used as a resource for decision-makers looking for solutions in their own communities.
In addition to its own audience, South Dakota News Watch provides its stories to more than 100 media partners across the state for free. This statewide approach proposes that accessible and engaging communication is vital to problem-solving, and a lack of it is often the reason ideas don't thrive. It allows people impacted by the problems to have a voice in the solutions. The concept of solutions journalism has worked well elsewhere and it can in South Dakota as well.
Below is an alphabetical list of housing solutions in the works. Click on the title or the drop-down arrow to see the details for each.
If you know of a housing solution we should include or report on, please send details to engagesd@sdnewswatch.org.
Homes Are Possible Inc. (HAPI)
Homes Are Possible Inc., or HAPI, uses a mix of public grants and private donations to fuel three separate housing programs that:
- Provide grants to income-qualified homeowners to fix up their houses
- Buy lots and build homes to replace aging or abandoned houses that are torn down
- Acquire land and develop subdivision infrastructure so HAPI and private construction companies can build homes there.
Contacts:
- Darin Beckius, executive director, Homes Are Possible Inc.
125 South 2nd Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 225-4274 - Terry Sabers, president, Mitchell Area Housing, Inc.
601 N. Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 630-1608
South Dakota Housing
South Dakota Housing offers programs that provide mortgage loans, housing construction and rehabilitation, homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and educational opportunities to help people find and secure a place to call home.
More information on homeownership, renting, social programs and property management.
This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they're published. Contact Bart Pfankuch at bart.pfankuch@sdnewswatch.org.
