Changing approach helps people move out of homelessness

Robin Bieber remembers the exact day her life took a tough turn: Nov. 17, 2023.

It’s when the factory in Howard where she worked making collectible Pokemon trading cards closed.

She and her partner, Michael Rogers, were both out of a job, “so we just had to pack up and come back (to Sioux Falls),” she said. “We stayed with a friend for a few months and then inevitably ended up at Bishop Dudley.”

While at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, they were able to work in housekeeping and maintenance at the homeless shelter as a way to extend their stay. As the months went on, health issues began limiting their abilities to work.

A caseworker then connected the couple with Sioux Falls Housing, which last year began to offer some of its federally funded housing vouchers to people experiencing homelessness.

“It’s really been successful because not only are our case managers working with them, we’re getting them set up with our partner agencies as well,” said Larissa Deedrich, executive director of Sioux Falls Housing.

“What we didn’t want to happen was we give someone a homeless voucher and there’s no flow through or services, so they end up in the same pattern and lose their home.”

For Bieber and Rogers, a caseworker helped them secure a place to live once approved for a voucher.

“We didn’t have a car, and she drove us to different apartments to look around … and when we came here, we said this is the one,” Bieber said.

They moved into the one-bedroom apartment near downtown last August.

“It’s home,” Bieber said. “We have a home.”

There is significant demand in the Sioux Falls area for housing assistance — not only those who are experiencing homelessness but also those needing help to close a gap so they can afford housing. Income-qualified residents can apply for the Housing Choice voucher program, formerly called Section 8 housing vouchers, with just over 2,000 available in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, including in the city of Sioux Falls.

There are just over 1,700 people using vouchers, but federal funding varies by month. After refreshing a waitlist in the past year, Sioux Falls Housing has identified 2,000 people who actively are waiting for assistance.

“I track how much it costs us. We only have a certain amount we can use per year,” Deedrich explained. “If we go over (a monthly amount), that means the next month we aren’t able to issue as many.”

When someone uses a voucher, that person pays between 30 percent and 50 percent of his or her income toward rent depending on the situation. If that person is receiving $1,000 from Social Security and the rent is $1,200 per month, the resident pays $300 and the voucher covers $900.

Up to 65 vouchers now are reserved for those experiencing homelessness. So far, about 40 are in use, “so we have wiggle room to issue more,” Deedrich said. “If all 65 are used up and they’re sustainably housed, we would go back to our board of commissioners to decide if we want to set aside additional vouchers for homeless.”

The approach could be part of the reason the annual count of people experiencing homelessness dropped earlier this year, said Michelle Treasure, the city’s homeless services coordinator.

“This is something that our community hasn’t done, that I am aware of, and it is showing success even in the early stages,” she said.

“I feel like it is a perfect example of how communities all play a part in finding solutions. This was just one small, but huge, impactful way that Sioux Falls Housing stepped up and found a solution.”

They didn’t rely on government or shelters, “they just did it,” she added. “And got their board to agree it was important.”

Deedrich brought the idea from other housing authorities where she has worked.

“I think it just wasn’t something our commissioners were aware they could do,” she said. “It’s a designation the board gives to these vouchers. They’re super-excited about it, and I didn’t think there would be hesitation.”

Vouchers can be given to any landlord willing to accept them.

Sioux Falls Housing also is particular about who is offered vouchers, Deedrich said.

“We really have a structured program here,” she said. “The people who are trying are the ones we need to reach out and help because sometimes they get knocked down.”

Bieber said the day-to-day difference for her compared with a year ago is hard to even describe. She is retired now and has income from Social Security, as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to help with food.

“It’s not like I can go out and buy anything, but I don’t have to worry about ending up back at the Dudley so long as everything works out and stays OK,” she said. “It was wonderful. It was a godsend.”