A roundup of the latest from HUD, USDA Rural Development, and South Dakota Housing, so you can stay informed about what's shaping the rental and affordable housing landscape right here at home.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has had a busy year. A few changes worth knowing: Effective January 1, 2026, HUD rolled out new inflation-adjusted thresholds under the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA). These updates affect asset limits, income deductions, and eligibility rules for programs like Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance and Housing Choice Vouchers.
For residents in assisted housing, the key number to know is the new net family asset eligibility limit, now set at $105,574.
For rural communities like so many of those we serve here in South Dakota, USDA Rural Development programs remain a critical resource. Here's what's new: In March 2026, USDA launched the Rural Housing Modernization Initiative, introduced as part of President Trump's executive order on removing regulatory barriers to home construction. The initiative streamlines the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan and Direct Loan programs — giving qualified lenders delegated underwriting authority so loans can close faster.
Rural Development also implemented HOTMA for its Multifamily Housing (MFH) portfolio starting July 1, 2025, including an important change for expectant families: pregnant residents are now counted as a two-person household for income eligibility purposes.
In April 2025, SDH announced that South Dakota's state median income increased by more than $7,000, reaching $102,200. This means more South Dakotans now qualify for SDH's First-time Homebuyer and Governor's House programs than before.
Housing policy can feel overwhelming, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to one thing: having a place to call home.
A place where you wave to your neighbor on the way to the mailbox, where the kids down the hall learn your name, and where you genuinely feel like part of something. That's what we aim to build at Professional Management Inc. We're a South Dakota company managing properties in communities where life moves a little slower and connections run a little deeper, and we think that's something worth celebrating.
If you or someone you know is looking for housing, we'd love to talk. Whether you're a first-time renter, relocating within the state, or just ready for a fresh start somewhere you'll be welcomed, reach out to us. We'll help you find not just an apartment, but a community.
Contact Professional Management Inc. today and let's find your next home.