Native Veterans

About


The Native Veterans Homeownership Committee works to increase access to homeownership resources for Native American veterans by focusing on matters addressing housing stock and land issues, homebuyer education, and subsidies.

3

veterans homeownership assessments

1

new veterans homeownership model

2026

MILESTONES

> Develop outreach strategy to share Veterans Housing Needs Assessment with 3+ tribal communities and 2 policymaker audiences.
> Develop toolkit to support Tribal Veteran Service Officers (TVSOs); hold 3+ consultation meetings; distribute to all TVSOs.
> Pilot at least one veteran homebuyer education and technical assistance program.
> Assist at least 20 Native American veterans across 4 tribal communities.

2026

MILESTONES

> Develop outreach strategy to share Veterans Housing Needs Assessment with 3+ tribal communities and 2 policymaker audiences.
> Develop toolkit to support Tribal Veteran Service Officers (TVSOs); hold 3+ consultation meetings; distribute to all TVSOs.
> Pilot at least one veteran homebuyer education and technical assistance program.
> Assist at least 20 Native American veterans across 4 tribal communities.

"Knowing that Native American veterans experience unique circumstances, we are working to overcome the myriad of complex barriers this group faces in achieving homeownership."

Events


Resources


2025 Statewide Native Veterans Housing Needs and Homeownership Study


The Veterans Housing Needs and Homeownership Study was developed to gather data that would help tribal housing authorities, Tribal Veterans Service Officers, and other service providers better understand the circumstances, challenges, and needs of veterans in each of the participating communities.

Download Report

Cheyenne River Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Crow Creek Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Crow Creek. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Flandreau Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Flandreau. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Lake Traverse Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Lake Traverse. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Lower Brule Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Lower Brule. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Pine Ridge Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Pine Ridge. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Rapid City Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Rapid City. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Rosebud Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Rosebud. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Standing Rock Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Standing Rock. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Yankton Veterans Homeownership Study


This report contains the key findings of the study as they relate to Yankton. The report summarizes key themes and provides associated recommendations.

Download Report

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Native Veterans Homeownership Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs.

Tawney Brunsch
Lakota Funds

Joanna Donahoe
Seven Sisters

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Native Veterans Homeownership Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs.

Tawney Brunsch
Lakota Funds

Joanna Donahoe
Seven Sisters


Physical Issues

About


Our Physical Issues Committee develops and implements strategies to explain and streamline the land lease process, strengthen infrastructure development efforts, and increase housing stock on Native land.

7

leasehold flowcharts

279

interns completed CIP

16,000

hours of work experience

127

full-time job placements

29

contractors increased capacity

4

contractor trainings

2026

MILESTONES

> Support 5 tribal members completing appraisal-trainee education to enter appraisal career pathway
> Complete, launch and promote SDNHOC MLS Database
> Identify 2 strategies to increase home construction affordability
> Identify 3 energy-efficient building methods and materials
> Deliver capacity building trainings for 30 contractors in 7 tribal communities
> Pilot Building Code Adoption – Yankton Sioux Tribe

2026

MILESTONES

> Support 5 tribal members completing appraisal-trainee education to enter appraisal career pathway
> Complete, launch and promote SDNHOC MLS Database
> Identify 2 strategies to increase home construction affordability
> Identify 3 energy-efficient building methods and materials
> Deliver capacity building trainings for 30 contractors in 7 tribal communities
> Pilot Building Code Adoption – Yankton Sioux Tribe

"This work is focused on the place where homeownership intersects land, infrastructure, and housing stock issues."

Events


Resources


2021 Construction Internship Program Report


This report looks back on the past five years of the internship, identifying key elements of success, lifting up stories of successful interns and partners, and sharing overall data.

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2020 Construction Internship Program Report


This unique report shares how the Construction Internship Program looked at each partner site during the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the impacts that were achieved, and lessons learned.

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Appraisal Market Study


This report describes the market for home appraisals on the nine Indian reservations in South Dakota and evaluates potential business opportunities for appraisers on reservation lands.

Download Journal

2017-2019 Construction Internship Program Report


This report shares details about our Construction Internship Program over its three-year history, including an explanation of how the program works and how it has evolved, program impact and outcomes, success stories, key partnerships, lessons learned, and plans for the future.

Download Report

2018 Construction Internship Program Report


After piloting our Construction Internship Program in summer 2017 on the Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge Reservations, the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition worked with partner organizations in these tribal communities to solidify and strengthen the program in summer 2018.

Download Journal

2017 Construction Internship Program Report


In 2017, the Coalition designed and implemented a new construction internship pilot program as a strategy to address a primary obstacle to Native homeownership – lack of housing stock.

Download Report

Leasehold Process Flowcharts


We have developed a series of flowcharts to help homebuyers navigate the process to obtain a lease on trust land on each of South Dakota’s nine reservations.

Download Flowcharts

Barriers to Residential Construction


This paper examines the challenges to residential construction in Native communities, describes efforts to date to address these challenges, and proposes future strategies to tackle these barriers.

Download Report

Classification of Housing Types


There are many different types of housing. This informational sheet describes the types of housing that are commonly used and classifies them by construction methods.

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Homeownership Process Flowchart


We developed a flow chart that provides a general outline of the homeownership process that Native Americans would typically encounter on tribal lands.

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Homebuilding Process


Although every homebuilding experience is unique, this chart outlines four main phases leading up to home construction on tribal lands.

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Get Involved!


To get involved with the Physical Issues Committee,
please contact one of the committee chairs. 

David Spider
SDNHOC

Tawney Brunsch
Lakota Funds

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Physical Issues Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs. 

David Spider
SDNHOC

Tawney Brunsch
Lakota Funds

Eric Shepherd
Sisseton Wahpeton


Homebuyer Readiness

About


The Homebuyer Readiness Committee implements strategies to help housing practitioners increase homebuyer readiness in the communities they serve.

47

certified homebuyer educators

30

certified financial educators

16

certified post-purchase trainers

17

financial coaches

6

new HERO partners

2026

MILESTONES

> HBR committee-led review of SDNHOC Practitioner Guide; available to members by August 2026.
> Develop comprehensive DPA resource list for Native CDFIs, tribal housing entities, and coalitions (Q3 2026).
> Identify 3 potential sources for SDNHOC DPA funding.
> Finalize Post/Pre-Purchase Curriculum review; conduct 2 practitioner pilot trainings across 4 tribal communities.
> Conduct 4–6 homeownership fairs across tribal and partner communities beginning June 2026.
> Train and support 100 Native Veterans; at least 10 achieving new homeownership in 2026.

"We are providing tools and resources for practitioners who are on the front lines and guiding Native families along their unique paths to homeownership."

Events


Resources


Financial Coaching Report


This report details the Coalition’s 10-month “financial coaching to support homeownership” initiative. It explains how financial coaching can support homeownership programs, what steps participants took to implement a financial coaching approach, and provides a case study.

Download Report

Homeownership Practitioner Resource Bank


Access an online resource bank with a variety of tools and templates designed especially for practitioners who are on the front lines of the Native American homeownership movement.

Access Resource Bank

Homebuyer Journal


This journal was developed as a tool that homebuyer practitioners could provide to their clients as they travel the path toward homeownership. It includes an abundance of exercises on vision, values, and goals, as well as budgeting templates and calendars.

Order Journals

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Homebuyer Readiness Committee,
please contact one of the committee chairs.

Amanda Standing Bear
Great Plains Housing Initiative

Michelle Running Wolf
Cheyenne River Housing Authority

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Homebuyer Readiness Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs.

Amanda Standing Bear
Great Plains Housing Initiative

Michelle Running Wolf
Cheyenne River Housing Authority


Coalition & Member Sustainability

About


The Coalition & Member Sustainability Committee focuses on building the sustainability of the Coalition and its member organizations through a variety of methods.

$45,000

membership dues

2

reports published

2

homeownership assessments

2026

MILESTONES

> Create dashboard with 4+ key metrics including NIF metrics; review strategic plan progress using tracker.
> Develop 1–2 new funder relationships in 2026.
> Explore 1–2 new earned revenue opportunities.
> Set self-sufficiency ratio and program funding goal.
> Increase membership and sponsorship revenue by 10–25%.
> Recalibrate membership tiers.
> Improve communications plan and SDNHOC website.
> Research donation best practices; build solicitation calendar.

2026

MILESTONES

> Create dashboard with 4+ key metrics including NIF metrics; review strategic plan progress using tracker.
> Develop 1–2 new funder relationships in 2026.
> Explore 1–2 new earned revenue opportunities.
> Set self-sufficiency ratio and program funding goal.
> Increase membership and sponsorship revenue by 10–25%.
> Recalibrate membership tiers.
> Improve communications plan and SDNHOC website.
> Research donation best practices; build solicitation calendar.

"We recognize the importance of this work and are committed to identifying and implementing strategies to ensure the Coalition’s long-term viability."

Events


Resources


Cheyenne River Housing Needs Study


The information provided in this report provides an assessment of the unique supply and demand characteristics that makes up the housing market on Cheyenne River.

Download Report

Rosebud Housing Needs Study


The study examines the state of the current and future housing market on Rosebud in part to demonstrate the unique challenges faced within this market.

Download Journal

Standing Rock Housing Needs Study


This study aimed to determine the needs, homeownership preferences, and affordability criteria of three specific target populations: tribal employees, tribal members nearing retirement, and veterans.

Download Report

Yankton Housing Needs Study


The purpose of this study was to understand the housing needs within the Yankton Reservation, as well as the barriers and opportunities related to homeownership.

Download Report

Lender Assessment


The Coalition commissioned a capacity-building needs assessment to evaluate the barriers and opportunities for lenders providing mortgage financing on tribal trust land.

Download Report

Practitioner Assessment


The Coalition commissioned a capacity-building needs assessment to identify specific capacity-building needs of housing practitioners and other Coalition members.

Download Journal

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Coalition & Member Sustainability Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs. 

Lori Moen
GROW SD

Lakota Vogel
Four Bands Community Fund

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Coalition & Member Sustainability Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs. 

Lori Moen
GROW SD

Lakota Vogel
Four Bands Community Fund


Policy

About


The Policy Committee identifies and addresses systemic policies that are impediments to Native homeownership.

3

GPTCA resolutions passed

1

tribal leaders summit

1

major policy victory

2

trips to Washington DC

2026

MILESTONES

> Develop annual federal policy recommendations (by Jan 30) and state policy recommendations (by Feb 10).
> Identify Coalition impact indicators to share annually with policymakers.
> Submit public comment letters as appropriate; annual comments submitted to SDHDA.
> Build relationships with SD congressional delegation (Thune, Rounds, Johnson), state legislators, and GPTCA; hold quarterly meetings.
> Partner with NAIHC to organize congressional staff or HUD Secretary visit to SD.
> Deliver advocacy training for Coalition members; educate tribal leadership on homeownership issues.
> Pilot Homeownership Fair in one tribal community with tribal council presentation.

2026

MILESTONES

> Develop annual federal policy recommendations (by Jan 30) and state policy recommendations (by Feb 10).
> Identify Coalition impact indicators to share annually with policymakers.
> Submit public comment letters as appropriate; annual comments submitted to SDHDA.
> Build relationships with SD congressional delegation (Thune, Rounds, Johnson), state legislators, and GPTCA; hold quarterly meetings.
> Partner with NAIHC to organize congressional staff or HUD Secretary visit to SD.
> Deliver advocacy training for Coalition members; educate tribal leadership on homeownership issues.
> Pilot Homeownership Fair in one tribal community with tribal council presentation.

"Many of the barriers to Native homeownership stem from policies that were implemented over 100 years ago. We are advocating for a clear path to Native homeownership."

Events


Resources


2020 Federal Policy Recommendations


The Coalition has developed recommendations to advocate for federal policies that support Native homeownership.

Download Policy Recommendations

502 Relending Pilot Progress Report


This report details how the 502 Relending Pilot project has increased access to the USDA 502 Direct Loan in tribal communities.

Download Progress Report

Housing Opportunity Fund Case Studies


This set of case studies highlights how South Dakota’s Housing Opportunity Fund is creating homeownership opportunities in tribal communities.

Download Case Studies

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Policy Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs.

James “JC” Crawford
Great Plains Housing Initiative

Sharon Vogel
Cheyenne River Housing Authority

Get Involved!


To get involved with the Policy Committee, please contact one of the committee chairs.

Sharon Vogel
Cheyenne River Housing Authority

Joanna Donahoe
Seven Sisters


Home

Our Collective Path to Homeownership

From 2013-2025, our stakeholders have created a multitude of homeownership opportunities.

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$36,250,089

LOANS DEPLOYED

129

HOMES RENOVATED

380

NEW HOMEOWNERS

1,113

TRAININGS DELIVERED

Strategic Focus Areas

We effectively promote Native American homeownership by facilitating five working committees that strategically address and overcome key issues and pave the way for homeownership among the Native American people of South Dakota.

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Resources & Information

We are dedicated to disseminating information that will create homeownership opportunities for Native Americans.  Check out our interactive resource guides for funding programs, service providers, and downloadable reports and resources!

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Sharing Our Pathway

Our coalition-building toolkit was designed as a tangible guide to replicate our model in your community, ultimately increasing access to homeownership for Native people.

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Events


All event times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST) unless otherwise noted.

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"Creating a Clear Path to Homeownership"


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P.O. Box 340
Kyle, South Dakota 57752
605-455-2500

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Make homeownership possible for Native families by donating to the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition!

By supporting us, you are helping families achieve their homeownership dreams!

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We periodically send information about upcoming events or messages from our partners. We encourage you to sign up to receive our emails and stay connected!

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Contact Us


P.O. Box 340
Kyle, South Dakota 57752
605-515-8968

Contact Us

Donate Today


Make homeownership possible for Native families by donating to the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition!

By supporting us, you are helping families achieve their homeownership dreams!

donate today

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