Codington County Commission Tackles Economic Hardship Amid Housing Crisis
- Steve Jurrens
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - At Tuesday’s Codington County Commission meeting, officials were presented with a stark contrast: while the community faces a sharp increase in economic hardship and housing instability, the county managed to secure rare financial savings on a local infrastructure project.
During the June 9, 2026, meeting, Community Services Director Sara Foust provided a comprehensive update on the county’s welfare and outreach programs, followed by a report on the County Road 7 bridge rehabilitation project that came in under budget.
Economic Pinch and Housing Instability
The Community Services office has been exceptionally busy, despite currently operating down one staff member. Foust reported a significant rise in economic distress among county residents over the past month.
· The office has seen multiple homeless families coming through its doors.
· There has been a substantial increase in requests for rent and utility assistance, as residents are “really feeling the pinch”.
· The situation is compounded by the fact that standard utility assistance programs have concluded for the summer season, leaving fewer options for families in need.
To address these crises, the county has stepped in to assist residents who meet specific income qualifications, agree to case management, and accept a lien repayment plan. Recent interventions included placing a homeless family in a hotel until they could be transitioned into Watertown Cares, as well as providing direct rent and utility relief to several individuals.
Grant Funding and Transitional Housing Opportunities
Foust also shared positive news regarding potential housing solutions. The South Dakota Housing Development Authority recently released a new request for proposals (RFP) for transitional housing.
· Watertown is eligible for this new funding.
· Foust noted that a previous proposal from the county was very well-ranked, indicating a strong chance of securing funds if the county steps up to facilitate the transitional housing program.
· The office also continues to secure reimbursements, bringing in $956.20 in Medicaid reimbursements and $2,083.15 in grant reimbursements during May.
Staffing Updates and Community Outreach
Behind the scenes, the Community Services office is actively working to expand its capacity and community footprint:
· New Hires: The county completed interviews for two vital roles. The Pre-trial Case Manager position attracted 8 to 10 applicants, while the Community Care Coordinator role drew 10 to 15 candidates. Foust hopes to finalize these hires by the end of the week.
· Centralized Location: Progress on a centralized community services facility is moving more slowly than anticipated, but officials are still projecting a fall timeline for its opening.
· Childcare Initiatives: A dedicated childcare team is currently analyzing survey results to identify local priorities and will share that information with the community soon.
· Splash Into Summer Success: The recent “Splash Into Summer” event was a massive success, drawing an estimated 1,000 attendees. Supported by 36 local partners, the event distributed over 900 meals to families.
