SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA --- Wesley United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota recently celebrated the ground breaking of Highland Five Homes.  Wesley is providing the land for the project.

“High(land) Five” Homes will open the spring of 2014.  There will be five, one bedroom apartments available to persons 55 years of age or older.  The Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission will manage the complex. Sioux Falls Wesley is leasing the land to the Sioux Falls Hosing and Redevelopment Commission for 40 years.

Affordable housing is needed

Many people in the Sioux Falls community are in need of affordable housing.  In 2012, there were 727 households in Minnehaha County who were homeless.  The Sioux Falls Housing Commission reports that 89% of the homeless are employed.

The average rent for a conventional apartment is $670 a month.  For a household to pay the average rent of $670 per month, a wage earner making minimum wage would have to work more than 75 hours per week. 

Wesley UMC responds

Sioux Falls Wesley strives to reach the people in their neighborhood. The church facilitates an elementary and middle school afterschool program.  There is also a summer program for children.  In addition, children participate in a meal, worship and Christian education experience on Wednesday evening.

Sioux Falls Wesley has been working with the Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio to learn more about serving the people.  “They challenged us to find ways to branch out and reach out to the neighborhood in new ways,” said Pastor Laura Bormann.   

The housing project will provide a new connection for the church.  The complex will face the church.  There will be a community garden.  The children who participate in the summer program at Wesley will help with the garden. 

“We will do everything possible to connect to the people that live in ‘High Five’ ", stated Bormann.