SD Rental Resources to Help You Rent with Confidence

SD Housing / Ready To Rent? / Rental Assistance

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Know Your Rental Options

South Dakota Housing is committed to providing resources for affordable rental housing and preserving the affordable rental housing stock by supporting property improvements and extending rental assistance and affordability contracts. Working closely with federal agencies, SD Housing administers program support that keeps housing safe and affordable for low-income families, seniors, individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Rental Assistance Programs

Rental Assistance programs help South Dakotans afford stable housing. Knowing your options and eligibility can make all the difference.

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Project-Based Section 8

Privately owned rental property, where portions of your rent may be paid by the federal government. You must meet certain income guidelines and eligibility criteria and live at a property designated as having a Section 8 subsidy, although some properties are able to admit market-rate renters with prior approval.

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HOME Program

Rents are based on income guidelines agreed to at the time the property was funded. Rents are at a reduced rate and vary from property to property. No portion of your rent is paid by the federal government. (unless combined with another subsidy program)

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Public Housing

Rental property owned by the local Public Housing agency where a portion of your rent may be paid by the federal government. You must meet certain income guidelines and eligibility criteria.

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Tenant-Based Section 8, Housing Choice Voucher

A portion of your rent may be paid by the federal government. You must meet certain income guidelines and eligibility criteria. The voucher is portable. You may apply for a voucher at your local housing authority or Public Housing Authority (PHA).

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Community Assistance Program

The South Dakota Community Assistance Program connects low-income South Dakotans with local Community Action Programs that offer essential support like weatherization, transportation, food access, and emergency services, depending on the agency.

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Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program

Privately owned rental property where a portion of your rent may be paid by the federal government. You must meet certain income guidelines and eligibility criteria.

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Housing Trust Fund

The primary purpose of the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing with primary emphasis placed on affordable housing for extremely low-income South Dakotans (30% AMI or below).

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Security Deposit Assistance Program

The Security Deposit Program (SDAP) helps eligible renters cover security deposits so they can move into affordable, stable housing. It supports households facing emergencies or at risk for homelessness, with assistance available through local partner agencies.

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Rural Development (USDA 515)

Privately owned rental property where a portion of your rent may be paid by the federal government. You must meet certain income guidelines and eligibility criteria.

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Housing For The Homeless

The Coordinated Entry System (CES) helps people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness access the right resources by assessing their needs and connecting them to appropriate services through local providers.

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Wondering if you qualify for rental assistance?

Check Your Eligibility

Rental Support Agencies

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211 Helpline

Connects individuals to statewide resources & support.

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Community Assistance Program Agencies

Provide services such as weatherization, community transport, food pantries, and emergency services.

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Public Housing Authority List

Manage affordable housing and federal rent subsidies such as tenant-based Section 8 vouchers.

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Next Steps: How To Get Rental Assistance

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Find the Right Rental Assistance for You

Affordable rental options aren’t one program. Start by checking your eligibility—based on income, household size, and where you live—to understand what options are available. Then explore different programs to determine which path is right for you.

Check Eligibility >

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Apply Through The Right Local Resource

For vouchers: Apply through your local housing authority. Find your local housing authority here.*Not every county has a PHA.

For an income-based apartment, contact the property or landlord directly or search for available rentals. Find your local housing authority online.

SD Housing does not process applications directly for most rental assistance programs, but can align you with the right fit.

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Need help figuring out where to start? Call 211!

If you’re unsure which option fits your situation, dial 211 for free, confidential help. They can connect you with local housing authorities, community assistance programs, and other rental support resources in your area.

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Clear Facts. Real Support. No Judgement.

Outdated myths keep renters from reaching out. Rental assistance programs in South Dakota are legitimate, accessible to those who are eligible, and designed to help people stay housed—without stigma. Explore our common misconception about Rental Assistance below:

  • When a household moves out of their rental, and all belongings are removed, they no longer must pay rent.

    MYTH
    The lease may hold you responsible for rent until the term specified in the lease is completed. If keys are not returned, you are considered as still having possession of the rental and you can continue to be charged rent.

  • Skipping information on your application won't affect your approval.

    MYTH
    Most landlords conduct criminal and credit background checks. Prior addresses and judgements often show up on these background checks. If you have had a negative experience, be honest and note that you are willing to explain the circumstances and how they have been remedied, or positive personal change that no longer poses an issue.

  • Landlords can't charge you for damage that may have already been there at move-in.


    TRUE
    Always conduct a move-in inspection and note all the items that may be considered as damage, no matter how small. Bring these to the attention of the landlord, and have it noted on the inspection form. If there is no form provided, have a list made and both parties sign it. Taking photos of these items is also a good way of having records that help settle any dispute at move-out.

  • When giving notice to move, verbal notice is okay and if it is a day or two after the first, it will be honored as the thirty-day notice effective at the end of the month.

    MYTH
    Advance notice must be given for at least one full rental period. If the rent is due on the first of the month, a full rental period ends on the last day of the month. Even a day or two late, can cause you to be liable for another month.

  • Renters insurance is expensive and a waste of money.

    MYTH
    Renters insurance in South Dakota costs approximately $11 to $18 per month. Main coverages include personal property, personal liability, additional living expenses if your rental is inhabitable, guest medical expenses if injured at your place.

  • If a landlord doesn't make required safety repairs and I file a complaint, the landlord may raise my rent or start an eviction to force me to move.

    MYTH
    Landlords must maintain the property in safe working order. Retaliatory evictions are prohibited by law.

  • I can let another person move in, after all, I am paying the rent.

    MYTH
    Always clear this with your landlord, allowing someone that has not been screened or approved can be a lease violation.

  • There are no time limits set as to when to expect my security deposit after I move.

    MYTH
    State law has strict guidance on security deposit return requirements and deadlines.

  • I can set up a bedroom in the basement.

    MYTH
    Always check first, this may be prohibited due to egress issues and city ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rental assistance FAQs are here to help you better understand how the programs work, who may qualify, and how to apply. You’ll find answers to common questions about eligibility, income limits, and working with local housing authorities. If you don’t see your question listed, your local housing authority can provide guidance based on your household and community.

  • Unfortunately, the answer here is “no.” The local Public Housing Authority (PHA), if there is one in the community, will typically have information on any public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, other affordable housing programs in which they are involved or which they administer, and a listing of landlords that participate in their programs. There are often other privately owned properties that offer Section 8 Rental Assistance that will likely not be on the PHA listing. We strongly recommend you consult the Rental Housing Search. This resource provides locations of federally funded rental housing in South Dakota.

  • After the lease has been terminated and the tenant has moved out, leaving a forwarding address, the landlord has two weeks to either return the deposit or provide a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding the deposit.

  • Federal affordable housing programs tend to fall under two broad categories, those offering “rental assistance” and those offering “limited rents.” Rental assistance typically refers to programs where the government has contracted with a landlord for a specific rent level. The renter pays a portion of the rent, usually based on a percentage of their adjusted income, and the government pays the remainder of the contract rent. Most often, the renter’s portion of the rent is limited to no more than 30% of their adjusted income. Examples of this type of program include HUD Section 8, USDA Section 515, and others. Programs offering limited rents typically place a ceiling on the rents a landlord may charge for an apartment. These ceilings are normally tied to some measurement of the average or median income in a community. The landlord contracts with the government to charge rents that are at or below that level. Normally the renter pays the entire rent in these cases, but the rent is often less than the prevailing conventional rent for an apartment of similar size, age, amenities, condition, etc.

  • Rent is determined using income, family size and other factors. For further information click on your category to links to more information:

    In Standard HOME and Housing Tax Credit properties, the rents are fixed at a rate lower than the market.

  • Both types of HUD Section 8 provide rental assistance or rental subsidies. In both cases, the government enters into a contract with a landlord to guarantee a certain “contract rent” for a housing unit – either a house or an apartment. To income-qualify for the program, the tenant must not earn more than a specified amount adjusted for family size and meet other criteria for participation in the program. The tenant then will pay 30% of his income toward the combined total of rent and utilities, and the government will pay the remainder of the “contract” rent. Project-based Section 8 applies to apartments at a specific location. Any applicant for these apartments must qualify for the program and will receive rental assistance if they qualify for such. When the tenant moves, the subsidy contract remains with the apartment, hence “project-based.” Housing Choice Vouchers are tenant-based. That means that they are issued for a specific tenant rather than tied to a particular apartment. The tenant can then seek out the housing they desire and request the local housing authority to contract with the property owner for rental assistance. The tenant contributions and most other aspects of the voucher are similar to those in the project-based program.

    Contact us if you have further questions.

  • The rule of thumb is the landlord is required to give tenants 24 hours’ notice prior to entering their unit. However, if there is an emergency the landlord may enter the unit at his/her discretion.

  • Yes, based on program requirements.

  • We strongly recommend you visit the Rental Housing Search. You can also view the Housing Resource Guide on this website. These resources attempt to identify all affordable rental housing in each community throughout the state, along with apartment sizes, addresses, and contact information.

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