13 September 2011

Join Mayor Huether and other dignitaries on September 20 at 4pm as we break ground at 726 N. Highland to begin building what has become known as the SHIFT House.

Winner of the 2011 Affordable Housing Design Competition, the SHIFT House will be a two-bedroom home with garage and a full basement.

You can see the complete design by clicking here.

If you'd like more information about the SHIFT House please contact Paul Hess at Community Development at 605-367-8180.

09 August 2011

Continuing its mission to create innovative housing solutions for people with lmited resources, Affordable Housing Solutions has purchased the property at 322 S. Duluth Avenue in Sioux Falls. Located just south of 11th Street and only two blocks from Minnesota Avenue, the 11-unit apartment building is close to public transportation, restaurants, and downtown Sioux Falls.

Purchase of the property was supported by the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, the City of Sioux Falls, and Great Western Bank. Affordable Housing Solutions will conduct an extensive rehab of the interior, but will maintain the basic 11-unit floor plan. One unit will be set aside for tenants with disabilities, and several forward-thinking green energy solutions are being considered.

"I'm excited about adding this property to our portfolio," said Shireen Ranshau, Executive Director of Affordable Housing Solutions. "The building has been empty for awhile, and, although it doesn't look like much now, it is structurally sound and has a lot of potential. Demolition of the interior will be completed this fall and we hope to have things move-in ready by about this time next year."

With its new name—Duluth Heights—a new interior, and bright new future, this building will soon, and for generations to come, provide a safe place for families to call home.

14 July 2011

According to information provided by CitiHousing Inc. there is no county in the United States in which a full-time minimum-wage worker can afford even a 1-bedroom apartment at fair market rent. Certainly that is true in Sioux Falls.

In fact, in Sioux Falls one has to make $12.30 per hour to afford an average 1-bedroom apartment and utilities.

So, what happens to the thousands of workers making less than that? Every day we benefit from the services of these workers. They are our neighbors and we rely on their hard work as carpenters, grocers, receptionists, and paramedics.

What will it take in Sioux Falls to ensure that every worker makes a living wage?

30 June 2011

What was once a dilapidated eyesore will soon be a beautiful two-story house for a family to call home.

The property at 630 N. Summit is just around the corner from the Cathedral and within walking distance of Hawthorne Elementary School. Affordable Housing Solutions, in partnership with Community Development and Yungwirth Construction is building a new, affordable two-story house. Complete with front porch, brown shake, and a two car garage, the home should be available for sale by the middle of July.

For more information contact Shireen Ranschau at 605-221-0430.