Affordable Housing
Reducing family homelessness
5-Year Goal
To be a catalyst to influence, advocate for, and support funding for housing development on behalf of the most vulnerable populations in the Sioux Falls area.
Primary Objectives:
Align existing affordable housing resources to create an efficient access system that benefits renters and landlords
Develop a tactical plan to address other significant accessible housing issues
Monitor the effect of changes
With Affordable Housing, Access Is Critical
Given the shortage of housing in Sioux Falls, the odds of building an effective housing access system are about as likely as aligning a Rubik’s Cube after preschool show-and-tell. The job isn’t for the faint of heart, but Thrive’s Housing Action Team has heart.
In its corner are powerful partners:
- The Community Outreach
- Nonprofits that created the OneRoof project and developed the community’s first Housing Retention Specialist
- City and county leaders, who embraced the Housing Clinic model and funded its first coordinator and housing navigator
- Helpline Center, which stretched its own resources to put an affordable rent calculator and a directory of subsidized housing properties online.
Housing Action Team members focus on big picture housing access issues. Once they target a breakdown in the system, they create a task team charged with finding solutions.
The Next Big Thing
In 2022, Housing Action Team members accepted a critical challenge to support the community of Sioux Falls in development and rehabilitation of housing for our most vulnerable children and families. They will work with community stakeholders, including the city, community foundation, developers, and others, to create a community model and address potential sources for the future funding of a Sioux Falls Housing Trust Fund.
In their initial proposal, HAT members suggest the local housing trust fund will provide a sustainable source of local funding for housing units that are affordable to families and individuals living under 30% of the area median income.
What Are Thrive’s Action Teams?
Thrive Action Teams are key to achieving the organization’s mission to remove obstacles to student success and foster opportunities for all children, from cradle to career.
Action Teams use a collective impact approach to focus on creating systemic change in the conditions surrounding the educational system.
Success is achieved when an outcome or goal has been attained, with the result that either the cause of the obstacle is eliminated or that programs, policies, funding streams, and/or services are permanently altered, reducing the impact of the problem on a continuing basis.
Action Teams are comprised of individuals who:
- Represent a cross-section of business, government, nonprofit, education and faith-based communities.
- Have knowledge and experience to contribute to the ecosystem issue being addressed.
- Are willing to make a commitment to participate regularly in Action Team activities.
Action Team membership is generally around 15 people but participation levels ebb and flow with current needs and topics. Volunteer opportunities often become available as each team continuously evaluates its requirements for expertise and participation. Occasional opportunities arise for short-term task-oriented teams, as well. If you’re interested in working as a Thrive volunteer, contact us.
Housing Action Team Members