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Mayor Announces One Sioux Falls Fund for Financial Help After COVID-19

Adria Botella

Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken announces a new fund to help those who come under financial hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The One Sioux Falls fund received $700,000 from local businesses in its first 18 hours. The mayor is also asking city council to allot another $250,000 in general funds.

Mayor TenHaken says the fund is offered through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.  

“The goal of this fund is to help Sioux Falls residents avoid evictions and financial hardships if they’re unable to work due to COVID-19," the mayor explains, "and also if they’re unable to qualify for state or federal assistance.”

He adds the fund is open to the entire Sioux Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, or MSA. That includes Minnehaha, McCook, Lincoln and Turner counties.

“It’s not just Sioux Falls city limits, but if you live and work within Sioux Falls or live and work within the MSA, you’ll be able to take advantage of the funds there."

Mayor TenHaken says housing has been a focus of his administration, so he doesn’t want to see the pandemic cause evictions. During a press conference Tuesday morning, he also asked city landlords to give tenants grace during this time.