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More Articles News | July 22, 2026

Building Community: The Journey of Millard Acres

Building Community: The Journey of Millard Acres

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!

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