Latest news with #Governor'sHouses
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'It's mine': Wagner's housing effort brings dreams within reach
May 30—WAGNER, S.D. — When a pre-built home rolled into Wagner last fall, few could predict how significant it would become. For Irene Sully, 54, it wasn't just the first Governor's House to arrive in town — it was her very first home. "I never thought I'd be able to own a house," said Sully, a first-time homebuyer. "When they brought it in, I just stood there watching them unload it. It was such an emotional moment." Sully purchased the first Governor's Home brought to Wagner, part of a broader effort to bring affordable, high-quality housing options to the community. She's now finishing the interior and expects to move in soon. "My house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms — one with a tub and one with a walk-in shower," she said. "I've added a two-stall garage, and I'm planning a porch soon. It's everything I wanted." The initiative is being led locally by Wagner Area Growth, Inc. (WAG), a nonprofit development corporation working to strengthen the local economy. WAG has plans to bring in at least two more Governor's Houses to Wagner as part of this effort to expand affordable, high-quality housing options for the community. The homes are purchased from the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) through the Governor's House Program, which offers affordable, energy-efficient homes to income-qualified South Dakotans. "We're not just putting houses in the ground," said Margaret Doom, Wagner's economic development director. "We're building opportunity — for individuals, for families, and for the long-term future of Wagner." WAG owns the homes when they arrive and selects details like flooring, paint and appliances. Doom said the goal is to offer homes that feel modern and move-in ready. "We tried to put the best of everything into ours," she said. "The best appliances, flooring, colors — we want these to be homes people are proud of." The first home sold quickly to Sully. The second Governor's Home, now placed in town, is being used for open houses until it sells, giving residents a chance to see the quality firsthand. "There's a stigma that's followed Governor's Homes in the past, and we're working hard to change that," Doom said. "These homes are beautiful, customizable, and efficient." Governor's Houses have sometimes faced skepticism due to their affordability and prison-built origins, often seen as basic or low-end. Doom says WAG is challenging that perception by showing how high-quality and attractive these homes can be. Buyers are responsible for several key parts of the setup — including securing a lot, laying a foundation (such as a crawl space or basement), installing utilities, and adding floor coverings. For example, a buyer like Sully would need to choose a site, hire a contractor to pour the foundation, coordinate with utility companies, and make interior decisions. WAG helps guide them through each step. Governor's Houses are built by inmates at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield through a program managed by SDHDA. Since 1996, more than 3,300 have been sold. Prices typically range from $79,000 to $99,900, with income and net worth limits for eligibility. For a household of one or two, annual income must be under $66,570; for three or more, under $76,080. Doom says the homes are part of a broader effort to "jumpstart the housing cycle" — providing starter homes for young adults, long-term homes for families, and retirement-friendly options. "Right now, we don't have enough starter homes," Doom said. "And if young people can't find a place to live, they leave. We want to stop that." According to the U.S. Census, from 2010 to 2020, poverty in Wagner dropped significantly — and so did the population. While Doom questions whether those numbers reflect a true population decline or a drop in poverty, she believes the solution lies in housing revitalization. WAG is also focused on education — offering workshops on home maintenance, connecting residents with resources, and encouraging long-term stewardship. "A house only stays valuable if it's cared for," Doom said. "We want to teach people about siding, roofing, all of it. When someone eventually moves out, that house should still be in good shape for the next family." Doom also praised SDHDA's flexibility in working with nonprofits. The program allows up to a year to sell a home before payment is due — a grace period WAG didn't need for Sully's home but that she says is essential for other communities. "Every home we place is part of a bigger picture," she said. "It's not just about shelter — it's about bringing people into the community, helping them succeed, and building something sustainable." For Sully, that vision is already a reality. "I'm so proud of this home," she said. "It's mine. And it's in Wagner. That means everything." Looking ahead, Doom says Wagner's future won't be defined by population or wealth — but by lives changed. "Gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all perfect small town," she said. "Every town has to define its own success. For us, that means making Wagner a place where people want to stay, grow, and dream big."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Board approves price increases for inmate-built affordable housing program
A home produced by the South Dakota Governor's House program. (Courtesy of South Dakota Housing Development Authority) The price of homes built by South Dakota inmates and sold to income-eligible residents across the state will increase again this year. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority Board voted unanimously Tuesday in Pierre to increase the prices for Governor's Houses, which are constructed at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield and shipped across the state to eligible buyers. There are two- and three-bedroom homes, as well as multi-family 'DakotaPlex' options for towns with 5,000 people or fewer, and day care models. Homebuyers can purchase a Governor's House if they have an income of $71,540 or less for a one- or two-person household, or $81,760 for households of three or more. Developers can buy and place the homes, as well, if they're later sold to people who fall within the income guidelines. Buyers are responsible for finding a lot, getting a building permit, buying appliances, laying flooring and hooking up utilities. Prices have crept up since 2020, when a buyer could get a two-bedroom Governor's House for $50,200. Most of this year's increases align with the program's income limit increase, said Mike Harsma, who heads the Governor's House program for South Dakota Housing. The income limits were raised by just over 10%. On July 1, the start of the 2025 fiscal year, the homes will be priced as follows: Two bedroom: $86,000, up from $75,900, or a 13.3% increase. Three bedroom: $96,000, up from $89,900, or a 6.8% increase. Dakotaplex two bedroom: $97,000, up from $89,900, or a 7.9% increase. Dakotaplex three bedroom: $106,000, up from $99,900, or a 6.1% increase. Day care: $96,000, up from $89,900, or a 6.8% increase. The increasing cost of materials continues to contribute to home prices, Harsma added. Harsma told the board that the authority is on track to sell about 120 units this fiscal year, selling 91 through the end of April – most of which were three-bedroom units. The authority typically sells less than five two-bedroom units a year, said Executive Director Chas Olson. A 'handful' of the program's 58 building pads in Springfield can only accommodate two-bedroom homes, which is part of the reason the authority continues to build and sell homes despite their low interest. Most of the two-bedroom sales are sold as elderly housing, Olson said. 'So we want to still kind of have that option open, but we've certainly talked at length about the possibility of cutting that two-bedroom unit,' Olson said. Harsma also hopes to see an improved lead time. Between 2022 and 2024, it took three years to complete and deliver an order. Harsma told board members the program lowered its lead time to 18 months this winter and 'we're hoping to lower it again as we get further into the summer.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First Governor's House arrives at South Lake Estates housing developments
Mar. 21—MITCHELL — Terry Sabers had good reason to smile Thursday morning. It was the first day of spring, and clear skies and mild temperatures were giving notice that summer is approaching. It was also his birthday, and he quietly acknowledged that it was number 70 for him. But coming over the hill at the South Lake Estates housing development by Lake Mitchell was a flatbed semi truck hauling a brand new Governor's House to be set on a concrete foundation. It was a first for the development, and a step Sabers, president of Mitchell Area Housing, Inc., had been looking forward to for some time. "It's exciting, it really is, to get the first one in here," Sabers told the Mitchell Republic as a crew worked to line up the trailer to offload the house. "And then we've got another basement over there and in two weeks, we'll have another one coming." The Governor's House program works to offer affordably priced, energy-efficient and high-quality homes for South Dakotans. The hallmark program of the South Dakota Housing nonprofit, which itself was created by the South Dakota Legislature in 1973, the Governor's House offers low-maintenance dwelling options that are attractive, reasonably sized and budget-friendly for those who are income-qualified. Over 3,300 Governor's Houses have been sold since 1996, according to information on the South Dakota Housing website. The delivery of the house to South Lake was the latest step in MAHI's efforts to help alleviate a housing shortage in the Mitchell community, a process that the nonprofit has been working on for the last three years. The group has two new housing developments taking shape in Mitchell — the South Lake Estates project as well as the Ridgeview on Foster development near Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Officials with the Mitchell Area Development Corporation and MAHI have been trumpeting the need for more housing — particularly affordable housing — in Mitchell for years. With major employers like Avera Health and Trail King on the lookout for new workers, as well as the new soybean processing plant on the way, the Mitchell community needs places for those workers to call home so they can work, live and contribute to that economy. Governor's Houses, built by inmates at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield through a partnership with the South Dakota Department of Corrections, are a great option to entice young employees and families to locate to Mitchell, Sabers said. "Because they are a very efficient home and a very nice-looking home. And it takes that construction process from four months down to three weeks," Sabers said. "And the price? Basically, the inmates are building it, so you save on labor." There are qualifying factors for those who wish to purchase a Governor's House. Basic qualifications include the purchaser making $66,570 or less in a one or two-person household or $76,080 or less in a household of three or more; having a net worth of less than $125,000 — or $105,000 in liquid assets — for applicants 61 or younger and having a net worth of less than $250,000 — or $140,000 in liquid assets — for applicants age 62 or older. The home must be considered the purchaser's only residence and it must be placed in South Dakota. Prices for Governor's Houses vary depending on floor plan and style, but they generally start at around $79,000 and top out at approximately $99,900. The home that arrived Thursday comes in at 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a full basement is expected to be installed. That will increase the liveable square footage and give new homeowners options as their families grow. "And then there will be a full basement, so they can put two or three more bedrooms in the basement, depending on what they need," Sabers said. "And they can still have a nice big family room." Sabers said MAHI is aiming for lot and home prices at the development to be in the $250,000 to $300,000 range. Mike Lauritsen, CEO of the Mitchell Area Development Corporation and the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, said the arrival of the first Governor's House is an important step forward in the work local organizations have been doing to bring not just more housing to Mitchell, but more affordable housing. "To get a house that's really workforce housing and in their price range, a really great option is the Governor's House (program)," Lauritsen said. "(This) is part of the reason that we got the Community of the Year Award. We have the housing and we're doing creative things to recruit the workforce. We need housing to recruit that workforce." Lauritsen said the progress made in recent years by MAHI with its two housing projects is indicative of a variety of positives in local development. Along with those projects, he pointed to the impending completion of the new soybean crush plant outside town that will bring new workers to town, and the new Mitchell High School under construction on Capital Street that will serve as an enticement for potential new residents, as indicators that Mitchell is on the rise. Though no official figures were immediately available from the city, Lauritsen estimated that building permits last year were about double the average over recent years. He credited individuals like Sabers and the Mitchell Chamber's Geri Beck for having been crucial to adding to that momentum, he said. "I feel like we have momentum from a multitude of things. We have the largest value-added economic development project in state history, a new high school building, housing developments and we're recruiting labor forces," Lauritsen said. "We have a lot of positive things happening in Mitchell right now. It's a great time to be in Mitchell." The Governor's House delivered Thursday is the first for South Lake Estates, but it is not the first of its kind in Mitchell. That distinction goes to a home sold in 2022, which was placed at 1209 S. Duff in Mitchell. Sabers estimated there were seven or eight Governor's Houses now in the community less than three years after the arrival of the first, an example that shows the demand for such dwellings. MAHI itself has 17 more Governor's Houses on order with the state, and Sabers estimated they likely would be moved in over the next three years. "We have them on order as people are interested. I'm already talking to three or four more people about them," Sabers said. Sabers said all major utility work at South Lake was completed in the fall of 2024. Final street grading along the curb and pavement work on Indian Head Drive is expected to commence in April or early May. That timeline is dependent on how the weather cooperates. The roadwork is crucial to being able to move forward, Sabers said, but hopefully MAHI will be able to start talking with potential buyers soon. For the Ridgeview on Foster development, Sabers said initial utility work has been completed, and work on the parking lot and Nagle Lane is expected to begin in April or May. Utilities and street work are anticipated to be completed by mid to late summer of 2025. The demand is only expected to continue. For those looking to locate to Mitchell to work, Sabers said MAHI will continue to work to find housing solutions. "Later this summer, the bean plant, they're going to be hiring people. And when they're hiring people, they're going to be looking for more houses," Sabers said. "So hopefully by then we'll have five or six more going, and we'll see how quickly we can get them done."
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New housing development brings growth and opportunity to Armour
Feb. 14—ARMOUR, S.D. — After more than a decade without significant housing development, Armour is finally seeing a new wave of growth. The Hometown Development, a 36-lot housing project, is underway, bringing new opportunities for homeownership to this small South Dakota town. The development, which sits on 40 acres within city limits, was purchased in 2019 by local businessman Bob Goodnow. Initially, the land was overgrown with native grass and plagued by standing water, but Goodnow had a vision to transform it. Through extensive work with local contractors, including David Vanderpol Construction, Goodnow was able to prepare the site, build drainage solutions and clear space for new homes. "Armour needed new housing," Goodnow said. "Every town around us had housing developments, and it was time for Armour to catch up." Through collaboration with the city, Goodnow secured a $675,000 HIFP General Grant, which helped install water, sewer, streets, and streetlights for the first 27 lots. The remaining nine lots were completed in the fall of 2024, ensuring that all 36 lots are now fully serviced with sewer and water connections. With infrastructure in place, the development is already seeing success. The first lot was sold in fall 2024, and construction on the first home is underway. Two other lots have already been sold, with building set to begin soon. "The town really needed more housing options, and this project is exactly what we've been missing," Goodnow said. In addition to Hometown Development, the town's affordable housing options are bolstered by the Governor's Houses, an initiative led by the Armour Community Development Corporation (ACDC). These homes, built by inmates at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield and sold to income-eligible South Dakotans, have already made their mark in Armour. Two homes have been placed, with a third set to arrive this spring. Otto Fousek and Kevin Werkmeister of ACDC have worked hard to bring these homes to the area, helping provide affordable homeownership for local residents. Kevin Werkmeister of the ACDC explained the importance of the Governor's Houses to the community. "I love to see our community thrive, and in order for this to happen, a key component is to grow the availability of housing," Werkmeister said. "These Governor's houses along with Bob's development around the lake have been huge for the success of our community." For Goodnow, the Hometown Development project is more than just a business venture; it's a personal contribution to the future of his hometown. Having retired years ago from his business, Bob's Farm Service, when his stepson and son-in-law took over, Goodnow has kept busy with various community projects, including managing five apartments connected to the Little Folks Home Daycare. He's also in the process of preparing five more apartments in the opposite wing of the building, along with three single studio apartments to the east of the daycare. Additionally, the basement of the daycare building is being considered for another future apartment. Even at 84, Goodnow remains active in his efforts to provide housing options in Armour. However, he's ready to retire from these projects as well. "I think I'm coming to the end of my projects," Goodnow said. "It's time for me to retire. I've been busy for years, but I feel like it's time to step back. I'm ready to relax a little bit." Local residents are excited about the development. Eden Slate of the Armour Community Club expressed optimism about the development's impact. "This is exactly what Armour needed," Slate said. "Having more homes will attract new people, and that means more support for our businesses. It's a win for everyone." Armour resident Robin Strand agrees, seeing the development as key to expanding the town's tax base and supporting local infrastructure. "If we bring more people to town, it helps the businesses, the schools, and the whole community," Strand said. "It's about growing in a way that benefits everyone." With the Hometown Development moving forward and Governor's Houses soon to be added to the mix, Armour is on track for a period of exciting growth. Goodnow, although ready to retire from projects like this one, is confident that Armour's future is in good hands. "I've seen a lot over the years, but this is something special," he said. "I'm proud of what we've done here, and I'm excited to see Armour thrive in the years to come."
