Thank you to our wonderful community of volunteers, donors, ReStore customers and advocates for believing in the power of home and opening doors with us in 2025. From building and repairing homes to providing the next generation of builders with hands-on construction experience, we’re creating life-changing opportunities together.
More detailed financial information and past impact reports can be found on our Financial Reports page.
We’re partnering with Owen’s Outfitters through our Neighborhood Revitalization (NR) program to complete renovations in their new warehouse! Over the next couple of weeks, Habitat staff and volunteers are painting the warehouse and reflooring the bathrooms.
“We are incredibly grateful to partner with Habitat for Humanity on this project,” says Mike Turner, executive director of Owen’s Outfitters. “Their willingness to invest time and skilled labor into improving our warehouse and bathrooms directly impacts our ability to serve families in need. When nonprofits work together, the impact is multiplied to help the entire community.”
The warehouse, which opened in July of 2025, provides Owen’s Outfitters with much needed space, but some elements of the older building are showing their age. Since the organization gives medical equipment to hundreds of families each month, they need a space that’s clean and professional to make people feel welcome and cared for. Having worked with our organization in the past, they reached out to see if our NR program could help make it possible.
“Owen’s Outfitters is a wonderful organization filling a real need in our community,” says Rocky Welker, Habitat’s executive director. “Like our NR program, it helps people by easing a financial burden they may not have been expecting. We’re excited to partner with them again and connect volunteers with the work of both of our missions.”
We also partner with Owen’s Outfitters when medical equipment is donated to our ReStore! Since our store focuses on home improvement and furnishings, we bring those donations of medical equipment to Owen’s Outfitters to ensure they get a second life with someone who needs it.
Owen’s Outfitters is a medical equipment lending library located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Their mission is to provide durable and disposable medical equipment at no charge to those who need it most, sourced through community donations. They clean, sort and organize the donations before giving them away to anyone in need regardless of income, age, sex, race or insurance status.
Our NR program assists homeowners year-round with affordable home repairs, accessibility modifications and yard cleanup. Homeowners that meet project, income and residency guidelines may apply for the program. Accepted projects are completed by Habitat staff and volunteers with homeowners paying for a portion of project materials.
On November 21, we welcomed home four families home for the holidays in our Millard Acres development! Congratulations to Mitiku, Emebet, Wegihu, Bisrat, Tesfaye, Okuba and their families for all the hard work they put into the program, building their homes and taking homebuyer education classes. We hope they enjoy filling their new homes with joy, love and special memories this holiday season!
Meet Mitiku & Emebet
Mitiku and Emebet were both born and raised in Ethiopia but came to the U.S. for better opportunities, finding that Sioux Falls had good schools, less crime and was a good place to raise children. Emebet works full-time at a production facility, and Mitiku works part-time due to ongoing pain and physical limitations from a work injury. Though they lived in an apartment with safety and maintenance issues, it was unaffordable for them to purchase a home on their own.
When friends and family shared Habitat’s program with them, they applied and were accepted in April 2024. After many years of financial difficulty and discouragement because of Mitiku’s work injury, they now own their own home and can provide safety for their children and have a place to celebrate holidays with family and friends. “It is like a dream come true!”
Meet Wegihu & Bisrat
Wegihu and Bisrat are an Eritrean couple that moved to Sioux Falls for a quiet place to raise their children. Growing up, Wegihu enjoyed farming with his family in an Eritrean village, but Bisrat’s family lived in a refugee camp in Sudan that was not a very safe place. Now, Wegihu works full-time as a medication aid for a local retirement home and Bisrat cares for their three children.
Their family was renting an apartment, but the cost was continuing to increase and apartment life was making Bisrat’s health issues more difficult to manage. When they were approved for Habitat’s program, they were excited to build and own their own home with support from the community. Their home has more space for the children to play and sing, and it’s a healthier environment for Bisrat, with no one smoking and no stairs to climb.
Meet Tesfaye
Tesfaye was a teacher in Ethiopia before he immigrated to the U.S. over a decade ago. He liked that Sioux Falls had good jobs, friendly people and many cultures. Tesfaye, his wife and their three children lived in an apartment with crowding issues. Apartment life was also difficult for his wife and youngest daughter who have health issues. Even though he works full-time at a retail warehouse, it was unaffordable to purchase a home on the open market.
Tesfaye was approved for our Homeownership program in April 2024, and he said, “Owning a home will change our lives for the better. It will provide more safety, and the kids will have more space.” Their family is thankful and happy for the support they received from the community and the Habitat program.
Meet Okuba
Okuba grew up in Eritrea, moving to a refugee camp when her home country was no longer safe. She immigrated to the U.S. and liked that Sioux Falls was a small city with opportunities for education and a better life. She and her three children live in an apartment with crowding, maintenance and management issues. Even though she makes a good income from working full-time at a local production facility, purchasing a home was unaffordable.
When her Eritrean community told her about Habitat, she applied for our program and was accepted in April 2024. She is appreciative that the community was willing to help her family and knows that homeownership will change her family’s life because they will have a safe and healthy environment.
These homes were made possible by the generosity of The Bancorp, the CNH Industrial Foundation, Wells Fargo, Pathward, Citibank, First PREMIER Bank & PREMIER Bankcard and the U.S. Bank Foundation. We would also like to thank our many other corporate and private donors for their support.
We would like to thank Project Warm-Up for their donation of blankets and Ben Reifel Middle School for making welcome home kits and signs for our new homebuyers.
Thank you to the 664 volunteers who devoted 4,450 hours to building these homes alongside these four families.
Last year, you blew us away with your Giving Tuesday generosity, not only meeting the match but exceeding it. We’re excited to announce that an anonymous donor has offered to match gifts again this Giving Tuesday up to $10,000, and we need your help to meet the match! With your support we can finish the last three twin homes in Millard Acres, our first ever housing development, bringing safety and security to six local families. Mark your calendars for December 2 and get ready to double your difference!
Thanks for helping us meet the match!
Updated @ 12 a.m. on 12/03/2025
Giving Tuesday may be over, but our work is far from done. Your donation any day of the year is greatly appreciated, so we can continue helping families build a brighter future for generations to come. Make a difference with us today!
We’re thrilled to announce the 2025 recipient of the John Homstad Volunteer of the Year award – Sheila Hoff! Sheila is a local realtor who joined our Board of Directors in 2017, taking on the role of board president in 2022 until she termed off the board in 2023. In addition to her board service, she was a member of the Family Selection Committee and helped review and select households for the Homeownership program. She transitioned to the Fund Development Committee in 2022 where she now helps raise money for Habitat programs by assisting with our annual Raise the Roof event and building community relationships.
Sheila’s work is not confined to her roles on our board and committees! She’s volunteered on numerous home builds over the years and helps secure land for future projects, ensuring we can continue building safe, affordable homes for families in our community. She is a tremendous asset to our organization. Thank you, Sheila, for your leadership, generosity and commitment to further Habitat’s mission!
About the Award
The John Homstad Volunteer of the Year award was created in memory of John Homstad, a longtime volunteer Master’s Builder who passed away from cancer in 2023. It will be awarded yearly to individuals, groups and organizations that go above and beyond, advocate for Habitat and demonstrate leadership as John did during his time with us. We are honored to give this award on his behalf.
Donate now to finish Habitat’s first affordable housing development in Eastern South Dakota!
The next 200 homes start here.
Thanks to supporters like you, we are celebrating our 200th family moving into a safe, affordable home through our ministry! Yet, there are so many more in our community who find homeownership out of reach. Help us open doors for the next 200 families by making a gift today!
Our goal is to raise $95,000 by Jan. 17 to lay foundations for the last three twin homes in our Millard Acres neighborhood! With your support, we can bring stability to six more families and complete our first ever housing development.
Want to learn more about how Habitat’s work is making a difference? Explore this page to hear from past and present Habitat homebuyers about the power of home.
The First Open Door
When Linda, a single mom, purchased the very first Habitat home in Sioux Falls, what she wanted most was stability for her children. She built that stability alongside the community of people who stepped up and supported her. Though the Sioux Empire and our ministry have changed a lot over the past 35 years, what remains the same is the life-changing impact your support makes possible.
The 200th Celebration
On October 3, we welcomed twin home neighbors Dalonda and Vickie into their new homes and celebrated the milestone of 200 Habitat homes in Greater Sioux Falls. Both of these hard-working women were thrilled to achieve their housing goals and will be wonderful additions to our Millard Acres neighborhood. Throughout the day, they expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported them along the way and their excitement for the freedom and opportunities they now have as homeowners. Their joy is a reminder that your generosity doesn’t just build houses, it builds futures.
The Key to the Next 200
Making homeownership a reality for our neighbors like Linda, Dalonda and Vickie doesn’t happen on its own. It happens because people like you choose to give. We’re grateful for everyone who partnered with us over the past 35 years to bring safe, affordable housing to 200 families. There is much more work to be done, and it can only be done together. Will you make a gift today to create life-changing opportunities for the next 200 families?
On October 3, we had the pleasure of celebrating our milestone of 200 homes by welcoming home twin home neighbors Dalonda and Vickie! Each of these hardworking women completed their partnership requirements and purchased their Millard Acres homes that morning with an affordable mortgage provided by Habitat.
We then got to celebrate with their friends, family and Habitat supporters at the 200th Home Dedication Celebration! Linda, our first Habitat homeowner in Sioux Falls, joined us to help hand over keys and gift a “home” doormat like the one she was given at her own home dedication 35 years ago. It was a special day full of joy, laughter and the amazing people that work with us to build homes, communities and hope.
Students at Ben Reifel Middle School made welcome home signs for our new homeowners.
Dalonda and Vickie are twin home neighbors in Habitat's Millard Acres development.
Dedication day was the first time Dalonda's daughters got to see the inside of their new home. This is their first look!
Dalonda's daughters were so excited they had a driveway to do sidewalk chalk on. They made a welcome message for all their guests.
Linda, Habitat's first homebuyer in Sioux Falls, purchased her home in 1991. She still lives in her home and joined us for the 200th home dedication celebration to hand over keys to Dalonda.
We're grateful for all the supporters who came out to the dedication to celebrate our milestone of 200 homes and welcome Dalonda and Vickie into their new homes!
Linda presented a "home" doormat similar to one she was given on her dedication day 35 years ago.
Project Warm-Up presented Vickie, Dalonda and Dalonda's daughters with blankets during the dedication.
Linda presented Dalonda with keys to her new home. Both women were single moms with two children when they purchased their Habitat homes.
Dalonda adds her key to a sign with keys representing each of the 200 homes Habitat has dedicated since 1991.
Kevin from Pathward, one of the major supporters of this build, presents Vickie with a key to her new home.
Meet Dalonda
Growing up, Dalonda lived in several cities and towns including Sioux Falls and moved back for the amazing opportunities and variety of family-friendly activities. She works full-time as an education assistant and part-time as a server at an area restaurant. While she saved up for a place of her own, Dalonda and her two daughters were sharing rent and living space with a relative in an affordable apartment building that had vandalism and safety issues. However, buying a home was unaffordable because of the high market prices.
When a family member encouraged her to look into Habitat’s Homeownership program, she decided to apply in October 2023. In April 2024, Dalonda was accepted into the program and worked hard to build a stable home for her daughters. The girls finally got to see inside their home on dedication day and were excited to do all the things they couldn’t do in their apartment like sidewalk chalk and painting the walls whatever color they wanted.
Vickie grew up in rural South Dakota where her family enjoyed farming and country living. She’s called Sioux Falls home for the last 33 years and likes the caring and diverse community of our city. Many years ago, she found herself unemployed which caused her to spiral into homelessness. Vickie worked hard to regain full-time employment and get a studio apartment.
She now works full-time as a housekeeping manager at one of the Sioux Falls hotels. Though she’d been saving up for a downpayment on a home, purchasing a home through a traditional mortgage was not affordable. When she heard about Habitat’s program on the news, she applied in October 2023 and was approved for partnership in April 2024. Vickie is deeply grateful for acceptance into the Habitat for Humanity program and believes this is a huge blessing.
Dalonda and Vickie’s homes were made possible by the generosity of Pathward, the Kinder Future Fund, U.S. Bank Foundation, Bluestone Federal Credit Union, Mead Lumber, Hy-Vee, Kwik Star and Scheels. We would also like to thank our many other corporate and private donors for their support.
Thank you to Project Warm-Up for their donation of blankets and Ben Reifel Middle School for making welcome home kits and signs for our new homebuyers.
Thank you to the 462 volunteers who devoted 2,062 hours to building these homes alongside Vickie and Dalonda.
The 2025 Homeownership program application round is open October 1-31, 2025. Review the following options for getting an application packet.
Online Download
From September 30-October 31, you will be able to download and print application materials from the Habitat website. Habitat does not offer an online application process for submitting the application form and required ID and financial documents.
Office Pickup
From October 1-31, application packets will be available at the new Habitat administrative offices.
On September 30 from 11 AM-2 PM, Habitat will host an application distribution event at the downtown library in Sioux Falls (200 N. Dakota Ave.) in Meeting Room A. Applicants can pick up an application packet and interact with Habitat staff and family selection committee volunteers.
Options for Submitting Your Application
Mail to: Attn: Lisa Ross Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls 721 E. Amidon Street Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Dropbox: You can submit your application by dropping it in our new secure dropbox outside of our administrative offices 24 hours a day. The dropbox is checked daily during our office hours.
In-person: From October 1-24, you have the option to contact the Habitat office to request an appointment for application review and submission. Appointments will be limited to 15 minutes and can only be granted if the application is complete and ready to submit.
Keep in Mind
The application packet will include instructions for how, where and when to submit the application.
Please review the list of required documentation that must be submitted with the application form! Do not submit your application unless you have included copies of ALL required identification and financial documentation.
We’re getting ready for Women Build 2025 presented by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls! Affordable housing issues affect everyone, but they’re more likely to affect women and their children. Women Build brings together women for five days of building and repairing homes to help neighbors achieve their housing goals. Whether you’ve never picked up a hammer or want to put your construction skills to good use, everyone is welcome at this empowering volunteer event!
Women Build 2025 will take place September 24-26 and October 1-2. Morning and afternoon shifts are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to sign up soon!
There is a $10 registration fee to reserve your spot which helps cover the cost of lunch and a Women Build 2025 t-shirt. Businesses and groups interested in volunteering during Women Build are encouraged to email Brittany, Habitat’s volunteer coordinator.
When you volunteer, please wear clothing that can get dirty, closed-toed shoes and work gloves. You’re welcome to bring your own safety glasses if you have them. All other supplies will be provided. Due to the nature of volunteer construction, we cannot guarantee a specific location or task. However, the tentative plan for each shift will be listed on the shift registration when we get nearer to the event. We look forward to building with you!
Register for Women Build 2025
Wednesday, September 24 – New Construction
First National Bank Volunteer Day
Wednesday, September 24 – Neighborhood Revitalization
*Due to lack of volunteer availability, we have removed the shifts on Saturday, September 27, from our Women Build lineup. If you were hoping to volunteer that day, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator at brittany.bandstra@siouxfallshabitat.org or (605) 274-6292.
Calling all Habitat heroes to the Raise the Roof Rescue presented by First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard! Assemble your team, dust off your super suit and fly over to The District at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27.
You must uncover the murderous villain wreaking havoc in the metropolitan area and save the day by stopping them once and for all! Jest Murder Mystery Co. will be our partner in crime-solving once again. Armed with witty comebacks and hilarious plot twists, they’ll render you powerless…because you’re doubled over with laughter. Whether you want to be a hero in the spotlight or “the guy in the chair” working behind the scenes, this is the show for you!
We know a night of crimefighting can work up quite an appetite, so ROAM will be fueling you with a delicious meal. You’ll also enjoy out-of-this-world drinks, posing for a snapshot with your team and seeing how your work is helping the civilians of Greater Sioux Falls.
All proceeds from the Raise the Roof Rescue will help complete Habitat’s first housing development, Millard Acres. The project, which began in 2020, will be completed in 2026, providing 26 families with safe and stable housing.
More details will be released when we get clearance from the authorities, but know this – justice and the fate of affordable homeownership in Greater Sioux Falls rests on your shoulders.
Tickets
Event sponsorships are now available. To secure your table and become the hero of your office, contact Monica Rilling (alias: Marvelous Monica) at MRilling@siouxfallshabitat.org or (605) 274-6283. Tickets will go on sale to the public on February 4.
The super suit is key for any good hero (or villain). It protects your identity, enhances your skills and makes you look really cool in action sequences. To help you pick your perfect costume for our night of mystery solving, we put together a few ideas for you to check out in between plotting your archenemy’s demise and saving the world from the latest alien invasion. From dream team ensembles to villainous looks that’ll inspire fear in the bravest of heroes, we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
While it’s fun to dress in the theme, the suit doesn’t make the hero. If costumes aren’t your thing, wear a SUPER color instead!
The 2025 Homeownership program application will be open October 1-31! In September, Habitat will host information meetings at the downtown library in Sioux Falls which will provide potential applicants with key information about the program as well as Habitat’s plans for the 2026-27 construction season. After a brief presentation, family selection committee members and Habitat staff will be available to answer questions.
Meetings are free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required, and household members 14 and older are welcome. We encourage applicants to review the About Homeownership page before attending the meeting.
Information Meeting Options:
Tuesday, September 16 @ 12 p.m. (noon) | check-in opens at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, September 16 @ 6 p.m. | check-in opens at 5:30 p.m.
We asked you to dream big with us last Christmas, and you answered the call raising over $86,000! Now your gift is hard at work building strong foundations for local students and families in our community. Keep reading to see what you’ve helped accomplish so far in 2025!
Neighborhood Revitalization
Our affordable repairs program has served 38 households so far this year. From house paintings to plumbing fixes, we help homeowners get the repairs they need at a price they can afford. We also work with our aging neighbors to help them stay in their homes as long as possible by installing safety modifications like grab bars and ramps.
In June, we held Rock the Block, our annual neighborhood revitalization event, in the Terrace Park neighborhood of Sioux Falls. Throughout the week, more than 80 volunteers came together to complete 11 projects. Check out our blog post to see pictures and hear more about the projects!
We also had the joy of welcoming home Rebecca and her family into their new Granite Valley home. The day was a beautiful celebration of the hard work and dedication it took for her to purchase this home for her family! We’ll wrap up our 2024-25 build season in the next few months by dedicating six homes in our Millard Acres development.
Rehab Homes
Our pilot project with the City of Sioux Falls is expanding! We’ll now be rehabbing six rundown and abandoned houses. We’re excited to continue this important work of giving homes a new life, improving safety and beautifying neighborhoods as a whole.
You might remember our first rehab home from these progress photos – well, we’re now working on the inside of the home and will complete it and our second rehab home this year! Then, we’ll get to start the process all over again with four more homes.
School Partnerships
We partner with three area schools to give students hands-on construction experience by building Habitat homes. These partnerships allow students to gain skills for their future and learn the value of giving back to their community. In the 2024-25 school year, more than 200 students from Southeast Tech, CTE Academy and Harrisburg High School built with us!
The two high schools build homes on campus, so each summer they’re loaded on a truck and moved to Habitat lots. This May, we moved our CTE Academy home to Granite Valley, and our Harrisburg home will be on the move in the next few weeks. We look forward to continuing these partnerships in the upcoming school year!
Want to chat?
Our executive director would love to talk with you about what we’re doing and how you can be a part of it! You can reach Rocky at (605) 274-6280 or rocky@siouxfallshabitat.org.
