SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Sioux Falls community leaders have formed a new nonprofit to build a cradle-to-career approach to education for homeless children.
Sioux Falls Thrive Inc., which formed this month, is made up of local government officials, churches and social service groups.
“There are all kinds of obstacles that kids and families living at or below the poverty level face,” Thrive President Candy Hanson said. “Thrive is going to start with one of the most basic. The first thing any child needs to succeed is a roof over his or her head.”
The group published a 227-page report outlining a number of problems Sioux Falls families face in finding affordable housing, the Argus Leader (https://argusne.ws/2jG8tXU) reported. Pam Homan, executive director of Augustana’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said the report is a “wake-up call.”
Report author Suzanne Smith said most of the demand for affordable housing comes down to rentals. But even with an apartment surge in the city, vulnerable families aren’t able to participate.
“There’s strong demand to build these luxury apartments,” Smith said. “Developers aren’t going to build an apartment that rents for $500 a month or less.”
Thrive organizers hope to next form a council of local leaders to consider the report’s findings and find potential solutions.
___
Information from: Argus Leader, https://www.argusleader.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.