Lower Sioux Community adds housing to meet population demands

The population of the Lower Sioux Community is growing, and, according to Dennis Prescott, Lower Sioux tribal council chair, there are others living in the area surrounding the community who would like to move.The problem, however, is finding adequate housing to make that possible for them.  The community took a big step toward addressing its housing needs this past Friday when it officially opened a new housing unit that was erected utilizing funds from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency through the Economic Development and Hous-ing Challenge Program.  The unit, known as Lower Sioux Estates, includes four duplex rental units, said Phyllis Littlecreek-Wilbanks, Lower Sioux housing director, who added the Lower Sioux Community also invested funds into the project.  “We started the application process in June 2012,” Littlecreek-Wil-banks said, adding the funds were awarded in 2014. “The project addresses the need for housing in the community which is growing.”

The fact that all of the rental units are already full is an indication of just how much growth is taking place, she added.  This is a project that has been needed for a long time, said Prescott.  “We have been waiting for this day for a while,”?Prescott said. “It has been a number of years that we have needed something like this.”

According to Littlecreek-Wilbanks, construction of the three and four bedroom, two bathroom units began in Fall 2014 and are modular units constructed by Dynamic Homes. On site work was completed by the E & K Construction of Redwood Falls.  Construction Management and oversight was provided by Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and 101 Development Resources.

Lower Sioux Estates is the beginning stage in meeting the affordable housing needs of tribal member families. There was very limited rental opportunities for members, wishing to reside within the community, prior to these units being constructed.  Four single family units are also under construction.  The units for the Lower Sioux Estates were designed to meet the Green Criteria, which utilizes Energy Star appliances and light fixtures, high efficiency heating and cooling units, water-conserving fixtures and Low-VOC products. Future plans for the development include a community garden and playground, as well as more housing units.

Mary Tingerthal, state housing commissioner, was on site Friday to help to open the units.  “This is going to be a good, solid place for these families to live,” said Tingerthal, adding the effort of all involved to make this happen was worth it.

On behalf of the community, Prescott expressed a sincere thank you to all who helped make this project possible for the Lower Sioux people.