Public Safety Down Payment Assistance Program

At a glance

What: Home ownership assistance program for public safety employees to increase recruitment and retention.
Where it stands: Adopted September 8, 2026 (Resolution 99-26, 8-0 as amended).
Program details: Up to $15,000 down payment assistance per household for owner-occupied single-family homes within city boundaries.

Program details

Eligible employees: Metro Communications, Sioux Falls Police Department, and Sioux Falls Fire Rescue employees registered as Class B Public Safety members under South Dakota Retirement System.

Requirements:

Must have completed probationary period.
At least one owner of property must be eligible public safety employee.
Home must be located within city's municipal boundaries.
Maximum assistance: $15,000 per household (married couples apply together but cap remains $15,000).

Repayment: If recipient leaves qualifying position within 5 years of receiving assistance, funds due and payable to city within 60 days of termination.

Funding: FY2027 allocation $150,000; subsequent fiscal year amounts determined through annual budget process.

Administration: Housing Division responsible for administering program with discretion to implement reasonable additional terms and conditions consistent with resolution and to make reasonable exceptions based on individual employee circumstances or policy objectives.

Council action

Motion made by Spellerberg, seconded by Sigette. Amendment by Oppenheimer, seconded by Basye modified Section 6 to give Housing Division discretion on reasonable exceptions. Amendment passed 8-0. Resolution adopted as amended 8-0.

Sources

City Council meeting minutes, September 8, 2026: 2026-09-08 - City Council

Log

2026-09-08 - City Council

Resolution 99-26 establishing Public Safety Down Payment Assistance Program adopted 8-0 as amended.