News for Donor Advisors

Sioux Falls is not immune to the trends that see a growing number of people who are unhoused across the country.

The number of unhoused individuals in the community has almost doubled in the past five years – from 334 in 2019 to 610 in 2024, according to the annual Point-in-Time Count, a survey conducted by local agencies across the United States.

In Sioux Falls, the number of women who are experiencing homelessness doubled year over year, and women make up a majority of the homeless population in the community.

Mental illness, addiction, reentry from incarceration and financial instability are major drivers of homelessness in the area. Nonprofits in Sioux Falls continue to address these issues and work to provide care, support and hope.

Here are just a few agencies making a difference in the community.

In downtown Sioux Falls, three street outreach teams regularly canvass the area:

• South Dakota Urban Indian Health’s Wo’okiye Program is uniquely positioned to support unhoused individuals, primarily from the Native American community.
• Downtown Sioux Falls’ Ambassadors help keep downtown clean and safe. Their work involves building rapport and helping people find resources.
• Midwest Street Medicine works to establish trust with individuals, including treating their immediate medical needs, accompanying them to appointments, supporting them in their journey to recovery and advocating for their behavioral and mental health needs.

Sioux Falls also has three shelters that provide a continuum of care:

• The Bishop Dudley Hospitality House provides shelter to individuals and families, including those with mental illness or individuals under the influence of substances, provided they’re not a safety risk to themselves or other guests.
  
• The Union Gospel Mission offers shelter to individuals ready to work toward self-sufficiency. To stay at the shelter, individuals must not have severe mental illness or substance abuse issues and actively participate in programming.
• Like Union Gospel Mission, the St. Francis House offers an intensive program focused on work, debt repayment and planning for sober individuals. The program has a long history of helping people transition to permanent housing.

The rising tide of homelessness in Sioux Falls serves as a call to action for our community.

As of 2023, more than 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness nationwide, a record high and a 12% increase from the previous year.

While the challenges are significant, the committed nonprofits and outreach teams are making a difference. These organizations, bolstered by community support, help ensure that individuals facing homelessness have access to vital resources, compassionate care and the opportunity for a brighter future.

To learn more about how to maximize your philanthropy and support these hardworking organizations, contact us today.