Single-Family Rehabilitation Program

How it works

The City of Sioux Falls Housing Division provides financial assistance to help homeowners repair or replace major home systems so the property remains in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition. Assistance is provided as a deferred payment loan with no interest. The loan is due upon sale of the home or discontinuance of occupancy.

Before any work starts, a Housing specialist must complete an inspection and prepare a work write-up describing the repairs to be financed. The homeowner then solicits bids from area contractors, selects a contractor, and signs a mortgage with the City of Sioux Falls to secure the funding. The city records a signed mortgage against the property until the loan is satisfied. The city states that no changes may be made to the project after the mortgage has been signed, and that homeowners are under no legal obligation until they sign the contract and mortgage.

What the money covers

Eligible work listed on the page includes:

• repair or replace faulty plumbing
• repair or replace faulty heating system
• repair or replace faulty electrical
• repair or replace worn or leaking roof
• repair or replace storm and screen windows and doors
• repair or replace deteriorated stoops and stairs
• necessary painting
• insulation and winterization
• handicapped accessibility

The page also says the Housing Division will provide a loan in the amount of the lowest bid. It does not state a program-wide maximum dollar amount.

Amounts and matching

The assistance amount is based on:

• housing rehabilitation needs
• household income
• assessed value of the property
• equity

The page does not state a matching requirement or percentage match. It also does not give a fixed dollar cap.

How to apply

Homeowners must allow a complete inspection by a Housing specialist before work begins. After the work write-up is prepared, the homeowner solicits bids from contractors and chooses one. The page provides an online application option and a supporting documents checklist, but it does not list every required application document on the page text reviewed.

Timing and deadlines

No application deadline is stated. The page says applicants should not start work before signing the loan and/or grant documents, because work started early voids the application and completed work is not eligible.