Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves funds for housing navigation hub, boosts emergency shelter services
Summary
The Sioux Falls City Council approved a contract to develop a housing navigation hub and increased funding for emergency family shelter services. One councilor recused from the shelter vote; both items won approval from the remaining members.
The Sioux Falls City Council on Feb. 18 approved two items pulled from the consent agenda: a contract to develop an affordable-housing navigation hub and an increased emergency shelter services agreement for families.
The council approved a $118,080 contract with OmniTech Incorporated to develop a centralized housing navigation hub and a $420,000 emergency shelter services contract with Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety. Councilor McCorris pulled the items to highlight how they connect to ongoing community work around homelessness and housing access.
Councilor McCorris said the navigation hub is meant to "provide simplified entry into housing" for people who face eviction records, income instability or other barriers and that "this contract tonight will really get that work started." The hub is intended as a tool for case managers and housing navigators to coordinate care and support a "housing first" approach discussed by council members and speakers.
Councilor Sigetty recused herself from the vote on the shelter contract, saying, "My husband works at the shelter." With Sigetty recused, the remaining council members voted to approve both items; the roll-call recorded yes votes by Council Members McCuris, Sale, Spellberg, Thomason, Maranko, Basie and Cole. The motion was made by Councilor McCorris and seconded by Councilor Cole; the outcome was recorded as passed, 7 to 0 (one recusal).
During public input, a speaker identified in the record as a resident criticized the Children's Home Shelter and urged the council not to partner with the organization; that speaker's remarks included allegations unrelated to the contract terms. The council did not amend the contract after public comment.
The items are intended to support the city's broader homelessness response: the hub aims to streamline referrals and move people from transitional shelters into longer-term housing, while the increased shelter funding supports family safety and transitional services. The contract and shelter agreement do not, by themselves, create new housing units; they fund systems and services to help people access housing and supports.
The council took the vote during the consent-items segment after discussion; no subsequent amendments to the contracts were recorded.
Looking ahead, staff and partner agencies will implement the contract work and the shelter agreement; the council did not set an updated implementation timeline in the meeting record.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve contract 240069 (OmniTech) and contract 253051 (Children's Home Shelter) — Mover: Councilor McCorris; Second: Councilor Cole; Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 recused (Councilor Sigetty).
