Section 8 in South Dakota: Housing Authorities and How to Apply

Section 8 (the Housing Choice Voucher program) is run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). You apply to the agency that serves where you want to live; many keep waiting lists that open only at times. Here are the agencies serving South Dakota's largest areas, from HUD's official contact list and each agency's site.

Is it illegal for a South Dakota landlord to refuse Section 8? No. South Dakota's housing discrimination law covers race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, familial status and national origin, but not source of income or vouchers. SDCL 20-13-20

Housing authorities in South Dakota

• Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission — Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County
  Housing Choice Voucher, HUD-VASH, Moderate Rehabilitation, Emergency Housing Voucher, Shelter Plus Care, HOPWA (Tri-State HELP), Family Self-Sufficiency
  Phone: 605-332-0704
  How to apply / waiting list — Closed: Housing Choice Voucher, HOPWA, Mod Rehab and Project-Based Voucher waiting lists closed until further notice (as of 2026-10-24 per PHA site)
• Pennington County Housing and Redevelopment Commission — Rapid City, Pennington County
  Phone: (605) 394-5350
• Aberdeen Housing Authority (Aberdeen Housing & Redevelopment Commission) — Aberdeen, Brown County
  Section 8 Voucher, Agency-owned family, senior and disabled rental housing
  Phone: (605) 226-2321
  How to apply / waiting list

Source: HUD public housing agency contact list. Check the agency's own site before applying; waiting lists open and close.

Statewide housing agency

South Dakota Housing (SD Housing) — SD Housing does not take voucher applications itself (apply through your local housing authority). It is the statewide contract administrator for certain project-based Section 8 properties, funds a Security Deposit Assistance Program through local partner agencies, and runs Section 811 rental assistance. Main phone 605-773-3181 (toll-free 1-800-540-4241).

Help paying rent in South Dakota

• Security Deposit Assistance Program (SDAP) — Helps low-income renters (household income at or below 60% of area median income) pay a security deposit of up to one month's rent; apply through the local partner agency serving your county, not SD Housing directly.

How to apply

1. Find the housing authority for the city or county where you want to live (list above).
2. Check whether its voucher waiting list is open; many open for short windows or use a lottery.
3. Apply only through the agency's official site or office. Applying is free — no one may charge you to get on a list.
4. Keep your contact information current with the agency so you do not lose your place.
5. When a voucher is issued, you find a rental whose rent fits the agency's payment standard and that passes inspection.

Rent levels (HUD Fair Market Rent) and local help by county

• Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls)

South Dakota tenant rights · Free legal help in South Dakota · Section 8 in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.