For over a decade, the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition (SDNHOC) has fought to combat the systemic barriers and inequities preventing Indigenous people and communities from achieving the economic security of homeownership. The Down Payment Assistance Program is a vital part of the Coalition’s mission–providing individuals and families with the resources for taking the final step in purchasing a home.

Since its launch in 2023, the Down Payment Assistance Program has distributed $500,000 to nearly 50 Native families in South Dakota’s tribal communities to support their dream of building equity in their own home.

“With all the challenges facing Native people and families in buying a home–including the challenges of securing traditional financing on trust land and the shortages of homes due to a lack of investment in our communities–being able to cover down payment costs shouldn’t be one of them,” said Kimberly Long Soldier, the Homeownership Program Manager at SNDHOC

“The Down Payment Assistance Program was created to close the affordability gap for Native families in South Dakota who are seeking to achieve homeownership, both on and off reservation. We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to help so many families take this important and life changing step. And we’re committed to growing this program in the years to come–because we know it will support the long term economic wellbeing of our communities.”

To support homeownership, SDNHOC partners closely with its member Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the state–which then work directly with individuals and families in their journey to buying a home. Through that work, the Coalition’s team recognized that, even for families who were well qualified to get a mortgage, gathering the assets to cover down payment costs presented a significant barrier. They presented their case to a group of key foundations–including the Wells Fargo Foundation, Partners for Rural Transformation, and the Northwest Area Foundation–and launched the DPA Program to foster pathways to sustainable homeownership. 

Since the program’s launch, the Coalition’s team, led by Kimberly, have worked tirelessly to get down payment funds to Native families taking steps toward homeownership. While typically applicants need to apply at least two weeks before their closing date, the team has repeatedly gone the extra mile to support those with urgent needs who just learned about the program and only have a few days to spare. And beyond just distributing funds, Kim works to connect personally with program participants–from walking them through the application process to celebrating their accomplishment once their closing is complete.

We purchased our home this past Fall with financing support from Four Bands and Lakota Funds, both member organizations of the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition. The funds we received from the downpayment assistance program reduced our loan principal, making it more affordable for our family. In addition, the purchase of our new home enabled our family to move back to the community where we have generational roots. We are grateful for this opportunity and would like to express our deepest gratitude.

–Ethan, Heidi, Jax, and Jayna Cuny

The DPA Program has represented a major milestone in the Coalition’s work to drive Native homeownership forward. In 2024 alone, the program:

  • Supported $8.9 million in loans, with a total purchase price of $7.8 million
  • Brought homeownership within reach for nearly 50 families long excluded from the market
  • Increased homeownership for Native families in diverse tribal nations–including on the Pine Ridge, Cheyenne River, Rosebud and Standing Rock Reservations–as well as for families living in non-reservation urban and rural areas. 

The data reveals the program’s impact. Yet it’s the stories of individual families that have achieved their dream of homeownership that remain in the minds of the Coalition’s team. Kimberly worked closely with an elder, a grandmother, who cares full-time for her grandson and wanted to purchase a home. She shared with Kimberly how happy she was that her grandson gets to have his own room and a place to truly call home.

“The SDNHOC DPA Program is a key driver in the state for eliminating roadblocks for Native Americans on the path to homeownership.  It complements our asset-building programs and increases our clients liquid assets which in turn increases their resilience.  With the DPA program, we are one step closer to closing the racial income gap.”

–Lakota Vogel, Four Bands Community Fund, CDFI

Big thanks to our sponsor for supporting the path to native homeownership!