A new federal investment aims to expand homeownership opportunities on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing 764,000 dollars to Lakota Funds to help finance home loans for Native American families. The funding makes Lakota Funds the third South Dakota lender to take part in the USDA’s Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans program.
Officials say the money will serve as working capital, helping more families access affordable housing in the region, where the need remains high.
USDA Rural Development leaders call the investment an important step toward increasing access to safe and affordable homes in Tribal communities.
Since the program began, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $8.6 million across South Dakota, with additional support going to lenders on both the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations.
Nationwide, the program has delivered more than $24 million since 2023 to support housing and economic development in rural and Tribal areas.
Officials say the latest investment will help create more pathways to homeownership and strengthen communities on Pine Ridge.
