Happy Friday! Megan here.

Weather check: Rain today but an otherwise gorgeous Memorial Day weekend

🍷Cool thing: Sioux Falls Simplified is hanging out at Gist Wine Shop next week for a "Civics Uncorked" event talking about the upcoming June 2 election. I'll be there Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to answer your questions over a glass of some of the best wines in town. Check it out here.

This week, you'll get an update on some affordable housing projects across the city – and a reminder of why these projects matter. Plus, catch a few Super Simplified Stories before you slam your laptop shut until after Memorial Day!

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

How the city is helping fund affordable housing projects

Simplified: Three separate projects are in the works right now to address a growing need for affordable housing in our community – all of which receiving some degree of financial support from the city. Sioux Falls Simplified checked in with the city and local nonprofits to get an status update on these projects and what they'll mean for the community.

A person holding a house key in their hand
Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki / Unsplash

Why it matters

  • The need for affordable housing keeps increasing – especially as the gap between wages and the cost of living grows. Larissa Deedrich, executive director of Sioux Falls Housing said there are currently 2,000 people on a wait list for rental assistance.
  • Deedrich said it's a common misconception that the people who need or receive housing assistance are unemployed or somehow lazy. But that's not what she's seeing. Almost all of the people who receive Section 8 housing vouchers in Sioux Falls are working full-time. The vouchers simply help fill the gap.
"It is just enough to help people so you don't have to decide, 'Do I buy diapers or do I pay rent?'" Deedrich said. "These are folks who are everyday working class people."
  • Right now, there are three apartment projects underway that will help address these needs – each with at least some financial support from the City of Sioux Falls.

Here's a closer look at each project

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • It's summer reading season! Siouxland Libraries' summer reading program officially kicks off today with the theme "Unearth a Story." For kids, the summer reading program is a way to combat the "summer slide" and ensure kids keep up their progress as readers. For grown ups, it's just really fun (and there's even an adult spelling be in July). Learn more about upcoming events and track your reading progress on the library website.
  • City to start work on downtown rail crossing. The city will start construction next week at Eighth Street and Weber Avenue as part of the city's Downtown Whistle Reduction Project. The $1.6 million improvements at several downtown intersections will allow the city to request a future quiet zone – meaning train engineers wouldn't need to sound their horns all the time. The ultimate goal is to reduce noise pollution, according to a press release from the city. Learn more about the project on the city's website.
  • Everybody say, 'Thank you, Jeff!' City Planning Director Jeff Eckhoff is retiring next Friday after seven years leading the department. He oversaw several long-range planning efforts, including Shape Sioux Falls 2050 and the new arts and culture plan.
    • Eckhoff also played a key role in several transformative public and private development projects and housing initiatives, including the Steel District, Cherapa Place, transit system improvements, the city’s first affordable housing tax increment financing district and the first two 4% tax credit housing projects. He also helped rebuild the Accessible Housing Advisory Board and supported development of the Housing Hub initiative.
    • “Serving the city the last seven years has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Eckhoff said. “I have had the opportunity to work alongside an incredible team of leaders and staff whose dedication, talent and passion for public service are unmatched. The culture of improvement throughout the city organization continues to inspire me every day.”

PRICE PREDICTOR

Can you guess the price of this Sioux Falls home?

This is a sponsored segment from Destinie Marshall with Discovery Real Estate Co.

This well-maintained ranch-style property is nestled in an established neighborhood with all three bedrooms on the main level. this home offers a functional layout perfect for first-time buyers, growing families, or anyone looking for comfortable one-level living. The spacious main living room provides plenty of room to relax or entertain, while the large divided family room in the basement offers endless possibilities for a second living area, game room, office space, workout area, or hobby room.

Can you guess the price?

  1. $225,000
  2. $250,000
  3. $275,000

Want to see your listing shared here? Email megan@sfsimplified.com.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

Meet the candidates for Harrisburg School Board
Three candidates are vying to fill two open seats on the Harrisburg School Board overseeing the third-largest district in the state. Here’s a look at each candidate and how they’d approach various policy issues.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Stuff to do: May 20-26
Here’s a look at what’s going on in Sioux Falls this week.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
How much money are mayor, council candidates spending?
Simplified: With less than two weeks until the June 2 election, candidates looking to lead city government have spent a more than half a million dollars so far. Here’s a closer look at how money is moving in the mayoral and council races. Why it matters * A Sioux Falls Simplified
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Oh, by the way

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