Strong Communities Start with a Place to Call Home

Herreid Area Housing Development Inc. received a $100,000 South Dakota Fund grant from South Dakota Community Foundation for the construction of a triplex apartment. This grant was awarded through SDCF's new Housing Initiative, launched in 2026, which supports the development, access and sustainability of affordable housing across the state.

In 2016, the community of Herreid was faced with a declining population caused, in part, by a lack of workforce housing. As a result, residents founded HAHD and raised enough money to build their first spec home. Since then, they have made improvements to the community park, pool and new sports facility – establishing Herreid as a family-friendly place to live.

“The Herreid Area Housing Development Inc. has experienced more success than we ever envisioned over our 10-year history,” said Dick Werner, HAHD President. “The $100,000 grant award from South Dakota Community Foundation will definitely keep that positive momentum moving forward!”

Construction for the site is set to begin in 2026. This complex will open more affordable units to address the community's rental shortage. In Herreid, there are no other apartment complexes, and all 16 units developed by HAHD are at 100% occupancy with a waitlist, making this new complex a critical addition to the community.

“HAHD has built something remarkable in Herreid, and we are excited to be part of what comes next," said Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. "Projects like this one are exactly what we hoped to see when we established housing as a new initiative for our South Dakota Fund grant.”

Thanks to HAHD’s efforts, the city population is expected to increase for the first time since 1960.

SDCF’s South Dakota Fund grants approximately $1 million each year to nonprofit organizations across the state. The grants are focused in nine areas and serve to build stronger families and communities.