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Author: Jadeyn Sjaarda

At the end of this year, we’ll celebrate the completion of Millard Acres, our first-ever housing development in Greater Sioux Falls! As we prepare to welcome the final six families home, we’re also taking a look back on the journey that made it all possible.

From securing land to building homes alongside thousands of volunteers and community partners, Millard Acres is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together. We invite you to explore Millard Acres through the years and celebrate the lives changed because of your support.

Planning

A rendering of Millard Acres, featuring 13 twin homes around a cul-de-sac in various colors, roof styles and driveway configurations.

After a year of planning, we partnered with the City of Sioux Falls to secure land for Millard Acres in 2020. Using environmentally conscious techniques, the 3.07-acres development in Northeastern Sioux Falls was designed to house 26 families in 13 affordable twin homes.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure work began in the fall of 2020. Before construction could begin, the undeveloped site needed essential infrastructure, including sewer, water, gas and paved streets, to prepare the neighborhood for building.

Construction

A rendering of Millard Acres with text that says "Phase 1". Two of the 13 twin homes are highlighted in orange.

Construction on the first two twin homes began in the summer of 2021. With more than 2,000 volunteer hours invested in each twin home, volunteers worked alongside Habitat staff from the foundation to the finishing touches.

In May 2022, Efrem & Wadasse became the first family to purchase their Millard Acres home. Twin home neighbors, Catie & Mike and Dana, followed in June. Owrshalim joined our program after an unexpected opening became available and completed her hours in a shortened time frame to close in April 2023.

A rendering of Millard Acres with text that says "Phase 2". Three of the 13 twin homes are highlighted in orange.

Foundations for the next three twin homes in the development got started in the summer of 2022. Built with insulated concrete forms (ICF), all of our Millard Acres twin homes are durable, sound-insulated and energy efficient.

When their homes were completed, we held a joint dedication for Mahmoud & Intesar, Elizabeth and Genet in July 2023. Liz and Netsenet purchased their homes in November, and Josiah became a homeowner in April 2024, building stability for his daughter.

A rendering of Millard Acres with text that says "Phase 3". Two of the 13 twin homes are highlighted in orange.

In late summer of 2023, we began construction on the next two Millard Acres twin homes, preparing foundations with our Women Build volunteers. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, businesses and community partners, we finished both homes the following summer.

In August 2024, we celebrated our largest home dedication in nearly ten years with a joint dedication as Neway & Netsanet, Shyam & Yasodha, Tiegisti and Hamed & Laila purchased their Millard Acres homes.

A rendering of Millard Acres with text that says "Phase 4". Three of the 13 twin homes are highlighted in orange.

The next phase of Millard Acres construction started in the fall of 2024. With the completion of the three twin homes at the end of 2025, we reached a milestone of 200 Habitat homes sold to individuals and families since our founding in 1989!

The community gathered in October 2025 to celebrate with twin home neighbors, Dalonda and Vickie. A month later, Mitiku & Emebet, Wegihu & Bisrat, Tesfaye and Okuba were welcomed home during another joyful home dedication.

A rendering of Millard Acres with text that says "Phase 5". Three of the 13 twin homes are highlighted in orange.

We kicked off construction on the final three twin homes in Millard Acres at the end of 2025! Work is well underway, and the neighborhood is nearing completion.

We can’t wait to welcome home our final six families (pictured below) at the end of the year!

On June 26, we welcomed two families into their new Granite Valley homes! Congratulations to Abdo, Badria, Fantahun, Tikikil and their families for all the time and energy they poured into our Homeownership program. Whether they were out working on jobsites or taking homebuyer education classes, they showed up with smiles and determination to build stability for their families. All that hard work paid off, and we’re so excited they can now make these houses their homes.

Meet Abdo & Badria

Abdo, Badria and their three children stand on the porch of their new home before their home dedication.

Abdo and Badria have called Sioux Falls home for over a decade and enjoy the safety and opportunities of the city. They have four children and are both employed at one of the local hospitals.

In the past, they struggled finding an affordable place to live with enough bedrooms for their family and had to move frequently in search of better housing. They are excited for the stability and comfort that Habitat homeownership will bring and enjoyed building their home alongside the Habitat team and volunteers.

About Their Home

CTE Academy students carry a piece of plywood while wearing safety glasses and hardhats. One student is smiling and giving a thumbs up.

Abdo and Badria’s home was built in partnership with CTE Academy on the school’s campus and is the school’s 14th Habitat home. After the carpentry students finished their portion of the home, it was moved onto a Habitat foundation in May 2025 and completed by Habitat’s construction team and volunteers.

Meet Fantahun & Tikikil

Fantahun and Tikikil smile for a photo in the park.

After growing up in Ethiopia, Fantahun and Tikikil decided in 2009 to make Sioux Falls their home because our quiet, peaceful city is a good place to raise children. Though they both have steady jobs, it was unaffordable for them to buy a house on their own.

When they were accepted into our Homeownership program in April 2025, they were excited for the opportunity to build a home that meets their family’s needs! Their new home now has space outside for their three children to play and for Tikikil to plant a vegetable garden.

About Their Home

Harrisburg CTE students work on the floor trusses of their Habitat home wearing safety glasses and tool belts. One student is using a measuring tape and another is using a drill.

Fantahun and Tikikil’s home was built by Harrisburg High School’s construction students in their Home Builders Academy. This is the school’s second Habitat home and the first to be completed as part of a five-year partnership between Habitat and the Harrisburg School District. The home was moved onto its Habitat foundation in August 2025 where it was completed by Habitat’s construction team and volunteers.

In the News

Tracy Vik from Project Warm-Up smiles with the families who hold blankets they received at their home dedication.

KELOLAND News: 2 student-built homes for families in need

Dakota News Now: Students help Habitat for Humanity build two new homes for Sioux Falls families

Thank You

Fantahun smiles in front of the welcome home sign saying "Welcome Home, Granite Valley Families! These homes were built by: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls + Career & Technical Education Academy, Harrisburg High School CTE, Vern Eide, The Sheldon F. Reese Foundation, MidAmerican Energy Company, Excel Energy Foundation, American Family Insurance and numerous local individual and business donors. Together, we build homes, communities and hope."

Thank you to the students and instructors at CTE Academy and Harrisburg High School for their hard work building these homes during the 2024-25 school year.

These homes were made possible by the generosity of Vern Eide, the Sheldon F Reese Foundation, the MidAmerican Energy Foundation, Xcel Energy and American Family Insurance. 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, First Lutheran Church for their donation of quilts and Ben Reifel Middle School for making welcome home kits and signs for our new homebuyers.

Thank you to the 716 volunteers who devoted 2,396 hours building these homes alongside these families.

Learn more about Habitat’s work in the community while enjoying a free lunch with other Habitat supporters at one of our new quarterly Lunch N Learn events! You’ll hear from Habitat team members about our mission, programs and opportunities to get involved along with stories from Habitat homeowners. Lunch N Learns will take place at the Habitat for Humanity building from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spots are limited, so secure yours today!

Lunch N Learn Dates
  • July 14, 2026
  • October 13, 2026
  • January 12, 2027
  • April 13, 2027
Save Your Seat

Want to bring a Lunch N Learn to your business or organization?

Contact Monica Rilling at MRilling@siouxfallshabitat.org or call (605) 274-6283.

Amazing things happen when we come together to serve! Our annual Rock the Block event took place June 3-5 in the Kingswood neighborhood, and we’re so thankful for all the business and community volunteers that revitalized with us. With their help, we assisted six Kingswood homeowners with 13 different projects including painting, landscaping, window washing and home repairs. Click on photos to see some of the hard work and the difference it’s making in the Kingswood community!

About Rock the Block

Rock the Block is an annual neighborhood revitalization event that focuses on improving living conditions in a specific neighborhood. Homeowners in the neighborhood who fall within Habitat’s income guidelines may apply to be part of the event and are selected based on project suitability. Since 2022, Rock the Block events have helped more than 170 people in the community. Learn More

Thank You

All of our Rock the Block projects were free to homeowners this year thanks to the generous support of Habitat donors!

Our Family Selection committee and Board of Directors approved eight applicants for partnership in our Homeownership program for the 2026-27 build season! These homebuyer partners applied in October 2025, met all general eligibility and financial requirements and proved themselves to be a good fit for the Habitat program through their interview, home visit and other screening steps. We’re excited to work with them as they build their homes, take homebuyer education classes and earn the opportunity to purchase their homes.

Future Granite Valley Neighbors

During the 2025–26 school year, students from CTE Academy, Harrisburg High School, and Southeast Technical College built three single-family Habitat homes. This summer, those homes will be moved onto their foundations in the Granite Valley neighborhood, and the rest of the construction process will be completed on site. Two additional single-family homes will begin construction in the neighborhood during this build season. We’re excited to welcome these future Granite Valley homebuyers into the program:

  • Akberet & Habtom
  • Angela
  • Mukhtar & Gono
  • Olesia & Iurii
  • Tylon

Future Emerson Neighbors

We’ll begin building one twin home this summer on a lot in the Sioux Falls neighborhood of Emerson. The home design will be similar to twin homes in our Millard Acres development. Our future Emerson twin home neighbors are:

  • Fiyeri
  • Kibrom & Saron

Future Rehab Home Neighbors

We’re continuing our partnership with the City of Sioux Falls to purchase homes in need of rehabilitation. Emanuel and Faya were selected for our new Cliff Ave. rehab home. Revitalization work will begin later this year.

If you see any of these families around town or on one of our build sites, please help us welcome them to the Habitat family and encourage them on their journey to homeownership!

You’re invited to join us at the Habitat for Humanity building from 7:30-9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24 as we host the Chamber’s Morning Mingle event. Enjoy coffee, juice and a light breakfast while mingling with Chamber members and fellow Habitat supporters. Tours of the building will be offered throughout the event with a program starting around 8:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!

View Event on Chamber Website

Habitat saw some incredible generosity over the last few months from Member Impact Fund grants in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines! In total, we received over $300,000 from eight financial institutions who partnered with FHLB Des Moines. These life-changing funds will open doors to affordable homeownership for local individuals and families and support students in area schools learning the construction trades. A big thank you to their teams for building brighter futures with Habitat!

We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Stronghold ICF to build a twin home in our Millard Acres development. The partnership through The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s (NRMCA) Build with Strength coalition is part of a wider initiative to construct 50 sustainable concrete homes in 50 states. Stronghold ICF is generously donating all the insulated concrete form (ICF) block for the twin home which will be sold to future homebuyers in our Homeownership program at the end of 2026.

Habitat's construction supervisor Jolynn pours concrete into a Stronghold ICF foundation.

“Stronghold ICF is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity on the Sioux Falls, SD build,” says Terry Thue, sales representative for Stronghold ICF. “This project represents more than construction—it’s an opportunity to invest in the community while educating current and future homeowners on the long-term benefits of ICF construction. From superior strength and durability to enhanced energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience, ICF homes provide lasting value for families for generations to come.”

ICF is a sustainable, noncombustible concrete building system that reduces upfront expenses and on-site construction time while maximizing the structure’s durability and energy performance. We’ve utilized ICF for each of the 13 twin homes in our Millard Acres development. After Millard Acres is complete, we plan to continue using the ICF building system on future projects.

Habitat's Millard Acres development in Sioux Falls, SD
Habitat’s Millard Acres development

“Building with ICF has been a great fit for our twin homes,” says Rocky Welker, Habitat’s executive director. “Not only are the homes sturdy, energy-efficient and affordable, but the shared concrete wall acts as a sound barrier to give twin home neighbors peace and privacy. We’re grateful to Stronghold and the NRMCA for this partnership that will build stability for two families in our community.”

Those interested in learning about ICF block are welcome to volunteer in Millard Acres over the coming weeks as we stack ICF block for our last three twin homes in the development. Learn more about volunteering on new construction and sign up here.

About Stronghold ICF

Stronghold ICF is an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) manufacturer with a mission that builds trust by helping their customers build with confidence and peace of mind. Their patented ICF block offers industry-leading features that are engineered for superior performance and a smarter investment for homeowners. Distributed nationwide, Stronghold ICF is supported in the Midwest by Benchmark Foam, a South Dakota manufacturer since 1988. To learn more about how Stronghold ICF can support your next project, contact Stronghold at 1‑877‑433‑1880 to talk with their team about ICF construction.

About Homeownership

The Habitat Homeownership program is an affordable housing opportunity for households in Minnehaha, Lincoln and Turner counties that meet residency and financial requirements. Households are evaluated based on their need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. Selected households help build and repair homes with Habitat staff and volunteers and take homebuyer education classes. When they’ve completed all program requirements and their home construction is complete, they are eligible to purchase the home with an affordable mortgage through Habitat.

Learn more about the Homeownership program

Want to see how your support makes a difference in the lives of local students and families? Check out our 2025 Impact Report!

View the 2025 Impact Report

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.”

Volunteers from ISG smile with their paint supplies in the Owen's Outfitters warehouse.

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.”

Owen's Outfitters warehouse after being repainted through Habitat's Neighborhood Revitalization program.

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.

In the News

Scaffolding is set up inside the Owen's Outfitters warehouse and Habitat volunteers are on it to paint the warehouse walls and ceiling.

Dakota News Now: Habitat for Humanity supports Owen’s Outfitters’ mission

About Owen’s Outfitters

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.

Learn more about Owen’s Outfitters

About Neighborhood Revitalization

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.

Learn more about the NR program

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 smile with their two sons in front of their new home.

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 smile with two of their daughters in front of their new home.

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 smiles with one of his daughters in front of their new home.

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 smiles with her three children in front of their new home.

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.

In the News

The four new homebuyer families smile with the Project Warm-Up team after receiving blankets at their home dedication.

Dakota News Now: Four families move into Habitat homes ahead of the holidays

Thank You

The four families stand smiling around a sign that says "Welcome Home Millard Acres Families! These homes were built by: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls + The Bancorp, CHN | Raven, Pathward, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, First PREMIER Bank & PREMIER Bankcard, Citi, and numerous local individual and business donors. Together, we build homes, communities and hope."

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.

Sponsor logos: The Bancorp, CNH | Raven, Wells Fargo and Pathward

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!

Meet the Match: $10,005 out of $10,000. House has 100 bricks out of 100 filled in.
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!