Aug. 5, 2025

This piece is sponsored by the South Eastern Development Foundation.

The easy path would have been to schedule demolition day for four houses off North Minnesota Avenue.

“All of them were in poor condition,” said Lynne Keller Forbes, CEO of the South Eastern Development Foundation. “The former owner had rented them out and intended to tear them down. It became an extensive undertaking because they needed so much work.”

But that’s the mission of the South Eastern Development Foundation, which supports safe, quality and affordable housing in the Sioux Falls area.

So the team got to work, finding new lots in central Sioux Falls for each house and then bringing a heavy dose of TLC.

“Most of them needed new windows and siding. A number of them needed insulation blown in, and we did a lot of reconfiguring layouts and garages,” Keller Forbes said.

The property where they once stood ultimately will be redeveloped or sold by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to bring higher-density, accessible housing to the area, but in the meantime, it was important to preserve the existing homes, said Mike Gray, the Development Foundation’s director of business development.

Like others who partner with SEDF, the Development Foundation donated the homes and SEDF took it from there.

“The work of South Eastern Development Foundation is invaluable. They’re a gold standard in the metro area for a reason,” Gray said.

“By partnering with them, we’re not only preserving valuable housing stock through rehabilitation, but we’re also creating essential affordable workforce housing. Their focus on infill lots in core neighborhoods aligns perfectly with our vision, making them the ideal partner to donate these homes to.”

Now, three of the houses are for sale, and the fourth will be once improvements are done.

Here’s a closer look at each:

1122 N. Dakota Ave.

Before and after:

This two-bedroom, one-bath home was built in 1914 and has all-new windows, siding, insulation and appliances. It’s available to income-qualified buyers.

“We also have a basement plan with egress windows and plumbing for another bathroom, so someone could finish it for equity, which would be a really good thing to do,” Keller Forbes said.

The kitchen features stainless steel appliances and new counters and cabinetry, and one bedroom includes a walk-in closet.

Sanford Health donated a garage, which was paired with the home when it was moved to Dakota Avenue.

“You’re only four or five blocks from downtown with this house,” Keller Forbes said.

For the full listing, visit here. 

324 N. Nesmith Ave.

Before and after:

This three-bedroom, one-bath home originally was built in 1975 but is essentially new with new siding, roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater, interior and exterior paint, decks, doors and windows, cabinets and vanities, flooring and gutters. It’s available to income-qualified buyers.

The kitchen includes new cabinets, countertops and stainless steel appliances.

A large backyard deck and a fenced yard offer easy access to an oversized detached two-car garage.

The unfinished basement has egress windows and is ready to finish with room for two more bedrooms, a family room and a second bath.

“It would be perfect for someone who lives in the Whittier neighborhood or downtown,” Keller Forbes said. “It’s a really cute home, and there are other newer townhomes nearby along with a city park.”

For the full listing, visit here.

233 S. Grange Ave.

Before and after:

This four-bedroom, two-bath home originally was built in 1912 and spans 1,350 square feet with a two-stall detached garage. There are no income restrictions to purchase it.

“It’s a good neighborhood with nice proximity to both the interstate and downtown,” Keller Forbes said. “We think originally it was a small medical office that also served as a house, so we took part of that space and made it into a master suite.”

Her team kept the home’s old-world charm, preserving unpainted original woodwork, pocket doors, glass door handles and refinished hardwood floors.

While the floor plan offers a rare main-level design with four bedrooms, there’s also an unfinished basement that could accommodate three more bedrooms, a family room and third bath.

“This home was built with great craftmanship,” Keller Forbes said. “Like the others, the renovation included a new foundation, siding, roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water heater, interior and exterior paint, decks, doors and windows, cabinets and vanities, flooring, gutters and more.”

To view the full listing, visit here.

The restorations were impressive, Gray said.

“The ‘before’ photos show these homes were in rough shape, making them likely candidates for demolition,” he said.

“What makes the SEDF so effective is their professionalism and comprehensive expertise. Each home is essentially brand-new for the next homeowner. They’re preserving our community’s housing stock and providing families with a high-quality living space they can be proud of.”

While these aren’t the most profitable endeavors – the goal is to break even – “it’s about giving back to the community,” Keller Forbes said. “It’s an important part of our mission. I hate to see houses torn down, so if we can save them, we usually try.”

As a 501(c)(3), the SEDF also is able to accept homes as donations from private individuals, who then receive a tax benefit for their charitable contribution.

Keller Forbes also works with prospective owners on homebuyer education and financing options.

“Depending on the situation, we can work with them on lending options, rebuilding credit and assisting with paperwork and closing costs,” she said.

And if the latest three homes aren’t a fit for owners, Keller Forbes also suggests considering the Governor’s House Program, which is an affordable housing option for income-qualified homebuyers who want to purchase or build a home.

“We have 10 new homes coming through that program that are really good fits for first-time homebuyers,” she said.

These three-bedroom, two-bath homes offer 1,200 square feet and will be located throughout Sioux Falls.

Here’s who qualifies to buy them:

Income qualifications:

• Households of one or two: $71,540 or less annual combined income.
• Households of three or more: $81,760 or less annual combined income.

Net worth:

• Age 61 or younger: Less than $125,000 or $105,000 in liquid assets
• Age 62 or older: Less than $250,000 or $140,000 in liquid assets

“The goal at the end of the day with all our programs is to hopefully help someone get into homeownership who maybe never thought they could,” Keller Forbes said.

To learn more about affordable homeownership through the South Eastern Development Foundation, contact Lynne Keller Forbes at lynne@secog.org.