Big news for housing: the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is officially law—and it could reshape how homes get built in America.

Unlike past housing bills, this one isn’t centered on massive new spending. Instead, it’s focused on one idea: make it easier to build more homes.

Here’s what changes.

First: the law targets housing supply. It streamlines approvals for many infill projects, encourages communities to modernize zoning, and identifies unused public land that could become housing. The goal? Cut red tape so builders can build faster.

Second: financing gets an update. The law creates a pilot program for small FHA mortgages, making it easier to finance lower-priced homes, while also improving financing options for multifamily and affordable housing developments.

Third: manufactured and modular homes get a boost. These homes are often faster and less expensive to build, and the law removes some of the regulatory barriers that have limited their growth.

Now, one important point: this does not put the federal government in charge of local zoning. Cities and counties still make those decisions. Washington is offering incentives and new tools—not taking over local control.

So...will this make housing affordable?

Not overnight.

This law won’t lower mortgage rates or solve labor shortages tomorrow. But if it succeeds in increasing the number of homes being built, it could help improve affordability over the next several years.

The bottom line? This is one of the biggest bipartisan housing reforms in decades. The legislation has passed. Now the real test begins: whether states, local governments, lenders, and builders use these new tools to create the housing America needs.

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On February 28, 2026, the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Out here in South Dakota—and across the Midwest—we tend to see things a little more plainly. You do your homework. You listen before you act. And when decisions carry real consequences, you make sure you’ve got good counsel around you.

That’s why I reached out to one of our Senators with my strong support for War Powers Act and Congress taking it’s rightful place as the legislative branch providing accountability to the Executive office.

Just weeks before the 2026 strikes, President Donald Trump said Iran’s nuclear program had been “completely destroyed”—“obliterated”—and set back “decades.”

Then, almost immediately, we were told Iran was an urgent and growing threat requiring military action, putting men and women in harms way on the other side of the world?

Folks here would call that a contradiction. And when something doesn’t add up, you ask questions.

Straight Talk, But Not Straight Answers

The Senator defended the strikes, pointing to intelligence that Iran was rebuilding and arguing that waiting would have increased the threat to American forces and allies. He also stated diplomacy “would not work”.

But that raises a deeper concern. Maybe this is a midwestern thing, but we value the truth, experience and competence. When the stakes are high, you don’t assume negotiations are not an option, you bring in people who are the absolutely the best for the job. So where were the seasoned State Department negotiators—the ones who’ve spent decades working nuclear agreements?

Instead, key diplomatic roles have been filled by non governmental self proclaimed “volunteers” like Jared Kushner —a billionaire family member and friends of the President with business background, but no demonstrable traditional diplomatic experience. How is this now the norm that New York elites understand the intricacies and historical context of sensitive international diplomacy and are working for the best of the American people? The outcomes couldn’t be more important.

Oversight Matters—Especially Here

The Senator also stated that Congress was properly notified.

But here’s the thing: in South Dakota, we understand the difference between being told after the fact and being brought into the decision. I don’t think many, if any, believe Congressional leaders were truly brought into the decision to go to war, and clearly US allies were not and are not supporting any effort to open the Strait.

There are specific reports showing that leaders like Mark Warner, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Jim Himes were not notified ahead of the strikes.

That’s not just a partisan issue—it’s a process issue.

The War Powers framework exists so decisions like this aren’t made by one branch alone, or in haste. It reflects something we value deeply out here: shared responsibility and accountability.

Why This Hits Home in the Midwest

For many in especially in western South Dakota, this isn’t abstract.

We have neighbors at Ellsworth AFB in uniform and flying sorties. We understand that when Washington makes decisions about war, it’s our communities that feel it—through deployments, through uncertainty, and through the long-term costs.

And we’re already seeing the economic side of it:

• Rising costs

• Strain on working families

• Uncertainty that makes it harder for communities to plan and grow

• Anxiety and fear higher than in 2025

  Out here, we don’t separate national security from everyday life. They’re connected.

The Kind of Leadership We Expect

This isn’t about party politics. It’s about standards.

In South Dakota, leadership means:

• Being honest when things don’t add up

• Welcoming input, not avoiding it

• Taking responsibility for decisions that affect others

So the question isn’t whether the president has authority.

The question is: are we using the wisdom available to us?

Why resist broader consultation from Congress?
Why not bring in more expertise, more voices, more accountability?

Because when decisions are made in isolation, or according to one man, the risks increase exponentially. No one is that good.

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
— Book of Proverbs 11:14

If we want better outcomes—peace, stability, and a stronger economy—we need leadership that reflects the values many of us were raised with right here in the Midwest.

Listen first.
Seek counsel.
Then act with clarity and accountability.

That’s not weakness.

That’s the kind of strength people here still believe in.

As the sun rises over the Badlands National Park, casting long shadows across the rugged buttes and open prairie, there’s a quiet reminder of how things get done out here. The land is harsh, but South Dakotan’s soften it through hard work—progress comes from patience, persistence, and neighbors willing to come together, even when they don’t always agree.

That same kind of common-sense cooperation is something folks yearn for in Washington. There’s an old story about Texas Speaker Sam Rayburn that still makes the rounds: when someone in his party called Republicans the enemy, he replied, “No, the Republicans are the opposition. The enemy is the Senate.” It gets a laugh, but it also carries a deeper truth—disagreement isn’t the problem. Refusing to work together is.

That’s why the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act stands out. This has the kind of broad, bipartisan effort that reflects how people solve problems in places like rural South Dakota. The Senate passed it 89–10, and the House followed with it’s own version a 390–9 vote. Numbers like that mean folks from both sides decided the issue mattered more than politics.

Now the question isn’t whether the bill has support—it clearly does. The question is how to finish the job. Could it be that “regular order”, the tried-and-true process where both chambers pass their versions, come together in a conference committee, and work out the differences before sending a final bill to the President, could work in 2026? I think so! Around here, that’s just common sense—sit down, talk it through, and get it done.

There’s strong bipartisan backing for taking that approach, and for good reason. I remember my Dad pointing out how nasty people could be behind the wheel of a car, blowing their horn, making rude gestures, while they would never consider acting like that standing in a supermarket line. He was right, when people meet face-to-face and actually listen, they tend to find more agreement than disagreement. There’s not much left to fight over with this legislation, and plenty of good policy to carry forward, IF it’s not important who gets the credit.

Senators Warren and Scott worry that going to conference could slow things down or put the bill at risk. That’s a fair concern—but perhaps this Housing bill could create positive momentum for collaboration? When folks commit to working things out together, they usually find a path forward. It’s the same way disagreements get settled between neighbors out here: not perfectly, but practically.

Of course, no one gets everything they want. That’s part of any honest compromise. But there’s a strong foundation between the two versions of the bills, and compared to the gridlock fighting over government shut-down and DHS funding, this is a much more manageable lift and a great opportunity to show the American public that Congress can work together for the number one affordability issue.

In the end, this shouldn’t be about who gets the upper hand in Washington. Representing States interests in these times is a test of whether leaders can come together—like neighbors under a wide South Dakota sky—and deliver something that helps people build stable lives and strong communities. And if there’s one thing the Badlands teach, it’s that in this tough terrain, cooperation is a privilege that can save your life.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”
Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV

The words of the prophet Isaiah come from a voice shaped by decades of upheaval. Isaiah lived and spoke in Jerusalem during a time of political instability, moral decline, and looming invasion. He was not distant from power—he advised kings like Hezekiah—and yet he also spoke boldly against injustice, calling out the ways people were being crushed and forgotten.

He had seen what happens when a nation loses its center. He had warned of coming judgment.

These words were first spoken to a people coming out of exile—those who had seen their temple and homes destroyed, their communities scattered, and their identity shaken under the weight of the Greco-Roman, Persian & Babylonian empires. The Jews knew what it meant to lose stability, dignity, and hope. And into that reality, God speaks not only comfort, but restoration—a rebuilding of lives, communities, and purpose.

In 2026, this context feels eerily familiar. Many in places throughout America and our world are experiencing different kinds of brokenness that wreck us:
• Housing insecurity and rising costs in America, not to mention 82,000 civilian structures destroyed in Iran in large part by US missiles.
• Communities fractured by inequality, mistrust, political division, violence perpetrated by federal agents on American soil
• And there’s the Quiet discouragement, loneliness, and feelings of isolation

The forms are different, but the need for restoration is similar.

So when Isaiah declares that God will bind up the brokenhearted and raise up “Oaks of Righteousness,” it is not just poetic—it is deeply practical. God is forming people who are not only healed, but who become part of His healing and rebuilding work.

Like Oak trees strengthened from within, yet pliable to the carpenter, God shapes us in unseen ways—closing off what could destroy and growing resilience of purpose that endures. But Oaks do more than stand strong. They provide shelter, stability, and life. And they produce acorns—small seeds that carry the potential for entire forests.

In the same way, God’s work in us is meant to multiply outward.

In the current world that is divided over words and ideology, I think it’s important to ask oneself, what am I doing in direct response to the instability I see around me? What quiet but powerful act of justice, restoration of dignity, or creative space making can I be a part of where people can take root, flourish and become hopeful?

Acts as such become acorns, and over time, collectively can grow into stronger families, healthier neighborhoods, and communities marked by hope instead of scarcity & fear.

God’s vision was never just to heal individuals in isolation. It was to plant a people so deeply rooted in Him that their lives would rebuild what gets broken. We become Oaks of Righteousness as a result of the spiritual work of staying rooted in Gods love for us, and aligned with his heart of renewal and restoration.

There’s a crisis expanding in the housing market—and it’s hitting first-time homebuyers the hardest and middle America is not immune.

If you’ve looked for a modest, affordable home lately—a starter home—you’ve probably noticed they’re increasingly hard to come by. These are the homes that used to be everywhere: small single-family houses, duplexes, townhomes, and other entry-level options that helped generations of Americans build equity, stability and generational wealth. But now, they’ve become rare finds. In fact, according to the March housing indicator from Elevate Rapid City, the Average home for sale is $450,000.

While there are many forces behind this shortage, some of the most stubborn barriers are the result of policy decisions that have only been made worse during the first 100 days of the Trump administration—decisions that continue to shape the housing landscape today. And this is surprising, given the President’s pro-business, pro-real estate platform during the election.

Let’s start with immigration. One of the most impactful and alarming aspects of Trump policy is the dramatic tightening of legal immigration, work visas and the forced removal of immigrants without due process. This is having a profound chilling effect on the construction industry, which has long relied on immigrant labor. With fewer skilled workers available, labor shortages are intensifying - when labor is scarce, construction slows down and gets more expensive. Guess which projects get cut first? Affordable, entry-level homes.

Immigrant labor accounts for approximately 30% of the construction workforce overall, but in certain trades crucial to homebuilding, that number is much higher:

• In residential construction, immigrants make up about 40% of the workforce.

• In some specialized trades, such as drywall installation, roofing, and painting, immigrant labor can account for 50–70% of the workers.

Then there are tariffs—especially on Canadian softwood lumber, steel, and aluminum. As of this writing, lumber futures are up 11% over last year, down from a high of 30% in March. And all things China - Every light fixture, appliance, and many pieces of furniture if not made in China, have China made parts. Tariffs are driving up the cost of critical building materials just as the industry is trying to ramp up for summer construction. In the graph below one can see how tariff’s increase a higher end home by 18% when combining labor and material, and I believe the 18% scales with lower priced homes.

Graph from article “How Would We Build Homes without Immigrant Labor and Foreign Materials?”, Ronda Kaysen, New York Times, April 4, 2025

You can add economic uncertainty to the list. The Trump administration’s trade wars, erratic regulatory rollbacks, and policy whiplash have created a climate of hesitation among developers and lenders. In this kind of environment, in a flight to safe, high margin projects, lower-profit projects are often the first to be shelved.

But not all the blame lies in Washington. Even if these federal policies were softened, local municipal regulations remain one of the steepest hurdles to starter homes. According to Jim Tobin, President of the National Association of Home Builders, with over 140,000 members in a network of craftsmen in 700 state and local associations, roughly 20% of the upfront cost of a new home is directly attributable to local regulatory requirements—things like zoning restrictions, permitting delays, planned development oversight, environmental impact studies and infrastructure fees. As Jim notes, it’s like asking, “How would you like to pay $90,000 up front, before any construction even begins on your home?”.

While these regulations are well-intentioned, they can make it nearly impossible to build smaller, more affordable housing. In many communities, zoning codes still prohibit multi-family units or require lot sizes and setbacks that result in projects often taking years to obtain approval. It’s death by a thousand cuts—and it’s pricing out an entire generation.

If we’re serious about solving the starter home crisis, we need bold action on multiple fronts. That means rethinking immigration to meet workforce needs through a legitimate streamlined temporary work permit process that leverages AI and ensures the good guys get in and are employable and paying taxes. It means ending punitive tariffs on essential building materials even from China, until alternative sources are available. And it means empowering cities to modernize zoning and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens with something like a 60 day guarantee, where new projects are guaranteed a go-no-go decision to reduce developer risk.

The American dream of homeownership shouldn't be a luxury – it has been the economic engine for wealth creation and the context for family safety & stability in America for the last 75 years. But until we confront the policy decisions—federal and local—that make it harder to build the homes people need, it will remain just that: a dream.

People of color have historically made up a larger portion of those experiencing homelessness in the United States, and yet many are unaware or dismissive of this reality. Recently, there has been a growing focus on increasing access to home equity through starter homes, which is beginning to influence the work of organizations aiming to prevent and end homelessness. This shift is an important in helping America disassemble the structural racism that contributes to housing instability.

This post explores the historical links between race and homelessness in the U.S., with the goal of supporting ongoing efforts to create more creative solutions for homelessness toward home equity.

Key Historical Moments:

• 1607-1776: Colonists displace Indigenous people and begin slavery with the arrival of Africans at Jamestown. Early patterns of homelessness emerge among Indigenous and Black populations due to violence and forced displacement.

• 1734-1800s: Poor houses open in colonial America as temporary shelters, while discriminatory laws criminalize homelessness, disproportionately affecting people of color.

• 1820s-1860s: Industrialization and the expansion of slavery increase homelessness among Black people, while the Indian Removal Act forces Native Americans westward, exacerbating displacement.

• 1900s: The Great Migration brings African Americans to Northern cities, where overcrowded and segregated housing awaits. Housing discrimination, like redlining, prevents wealth-building opportunities for people of color.

• 1930s-1960s: The Great Depression worsens homelessness, and discriminatory practices during WWII internment camps force Japanese Americans into displacement. Institutionalized racism continues to drive people of color into homelessness.

• 1970s-1990s: Cuts to federal housing and social safety nets lead to a rise in homelessness, particularly among Black Americans, as research highlights disproportionate shelter usage among people of color.

• 2000s: While efforts to address homelessness begin, racial disparities remain. Studies show a higher rate of homelessness among Latino populations, and unique challenges for Black Americans experiencing homelessness are documented.

• 2010s-Present: The focus on racial equity in homelessness work strengthens. Initiatives like SPARC (Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities) push for racial justice in addressing homelessness, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness begins to center racial disparities in their policies.

  Federal agencies like HUD (Housing and Urban Development) starts to focus on the racial differences and unequal rates of homelessness among different groups of people. The Home, Together plan, which has been the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, emphasizes the need to base plans on data and research.

• Backward Movement. After years of declines due to targeted assistance, the number of chronically homeless individuals and those experiencing homelessness are both rising again. On December 27, 2024, HUD released the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report: Part 1: Point-in-Time (PIT) Estimates, indicating more than 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, an 18 percent increase (1,631 more people) from 2023. Native people experience the second highest rate of homelessness (10%) in the U.S.. Among all people experiencing homelessness, 4% identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous and were nearly twice as likely to be experiencing unsheltered homelessness than sheltered homelessness (NCUIH.org).

What Can We Do About It?

Despite progress, people of color—especially Black and Native Americans—are still disproportionately affected by homelessness due to centuries of discriminatory policies. Addressing racial equity in homelessness requires concrete actions: Structural changes like sweat equity as down payment toward affordable housing or housing vouchers, meaningful work and living wages, access to mental health care, wrap around services, and an end to discriminatory practices.

As we move forward, it’s crucial to ensure that the voices of people of color remain central to policy development and solutions. It’s also imperative that elected leaders hear from constituents on a consistent basis. In a free and democratic society, the drive for starter housing and racial equity in homeownership is not just about social justice; it’s a moral imperative and its capital constrained. We must ask ourselves: What will we do within our sphere of influence and in our communities, to make real change and ensure that it happens?

Special thanks to primary Historical Moments researchers: Jeff Olivet, Amanda Andere, Marc Dones, Brittani Manzo, and Jessica Venegas

Ben Mieremet, NOAA (ret.) 1995 circa

It was a cold early December evening, and I was enjoying a perfectly clear South Dakota night, marveling at the bright stars above. The air was crisp, and the peaceful quiet of the night wrapped itself around me like a soft blanket. Then, I heard a faint, but familiar sound in the distance. At first, I couldn’t quite place it—too cold, too late, and too dark for geese to be migrating south for the winter. But as the sound grew louder, I began to see the faint outline of the birds as they flew in their signature V formation. And as I watched, I was struck with a question: Why do geese honk?

In my brief moment of discovery, I realized that geese, as a gaggle on land and a flock in the air, are typically found together. And in that unity, they embody several values that we, as humans, could certainly use to enhance our own lives.

The Power of the Honk

Geese honk. And it turns out, they do so for more than just a “chat” in the skies. Flocks of geese honk to encourage one another—especially when they're flying long distances. The sound of honking serves to lift their spirits and keep them focused on the task ahead: flapping their wings and continuing their journey.

This simple action of encouragement reminds me of how vital positive communication is in any group setting. Whether in the workplace, among friends, or in a family, encouragement is the fuel that keeps us moving forward when things feel hard. Sometimes, we just need a little nudge from someone else to keep going.

In a world where we are bombarded with noise from social media and constant information, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of thoughtful communication. Yet, without it, we risk drifting apart—just like geese who might stray from their flock without the reminder of a friendly honk.

The Strength of the "V" Formation

Geese fly in a V formation, a strategy that may seem simple, but is actually quite brilliant. With the reduced wind resistance in this formation, they maximize their energy efficiency—flying up to 1,500 miles in a single day!

A 2001 study in Nature revealed that birds like pelicans, when flying solo, had to beat their wings more often and exert more energy than when they flew together in a formation. Geese that fly in a V formation glide more often, saving precious energy. In this alignment, they create collective strength and efficiency that benefits the entire flock.

What if, instead of struggling alone, we embraced the power of cooperation in our own lives? The synergy found in a shared purpose can make our efforts more enduring. Just as the geese align their paths for maximum efficiency, we too can support one another in our journeys. When times get tough, wouldn’t it be powerful if those who are strongest could inspire and encourage those who feel worn out or discouraged?

Sharing the Lead

Another fascinating lesson from geese is their leadership. The lead goose in the formation has the most difficult job: cutting through the wind and leading the way. But it doesn’t stay in the lead forever. After a while, the goose rotates out, letting another take the position, while it falls to the back to rest and recover, riding on the energy created by the flock.

This simple act of rotating leadership illustrates the power of sharing burdens. It shows how crucial it is to trust others through delegation and teamwork. When the weight is shared, no one has to carry it alone. Plus, it inherently cross-trains every member of the team, ensuring that they are all prepared to lead when the time comes.

Lessons from Geese: Together We Soar

Sometimes, when faced with challenges, we may be tempted to complain about how broken things seem or how difficult the road ahead is. But geese—through their honking, their flying formation, and their shared leadership—remind us that the greatest achievements come when we cooperate and work together.

Going it alone will only take us so far. But when we communicate, cooperate, and delegate, the possibilities are endless. The skies are the limit.

Next time you hear the honking of geese in the distance, take a moment to reflect. They have a lot to teach us about teamwork, encouragement, and leadership. Just like them, we can go farther together.

The growing affordability crisis in the United States is making homeownership increasingly unattainable, especially for middle and low-income families. Many hardworking individuals, such as teachers, healthcare workers, and public safety officers, are finding themselves cost-burdened, spending over half of their income on housing. As housing costs rise faster than wages, more families are forced into renting, struggling with little left for essential needs like food, healthcare, and education.

This affordability crisis is compounded by a housing shortage, not just in urban areas, but also in regions that were once considered affordable, such as the upper Midwest. Slow construction and restrictive zoning laws hinder new developments, making it more difficult for families to purchase homes. In some areas, rising property prices now outpace even fast-growing regions, while developers face high costs and risks in building affordable homes, reducing the incentive to create new housing.

Wage growth has not kept up with rising costs, and interest rates have more than doubled in the past two years, making homes even less affordable. In Rapid City, SD, the affordability delta for median income earners to purchase a median priced home for sale is nearly 2x income, where a buyer needs to earn $110,000. This has led to a growing financial strain on families, with many seeing their effective income stagnate or decline. Additionally, marginalized communities, particularly people of color and low-income households, are disproportionately affected by the crisis, exacerbating long-standing racial disparities in housing and economic mobility.

The long-term impacts of this crisis are felt in health outcomes, with chronic stress, food insecurity, and educational disruptions affecting personal well-being and future opportunities. The current housing system has created an invisible class divide, fueling poverty and inequality, and hindering upward mobility.

To address these issues, comprehensive reforms are needed that focus on making housing affordable, accessible, and equitable. Policymakers starting with city leadership must prioritize initiatives that increase affordable housing availability, such as expanding tax credits, tax-increment financing, and low-interest funding & grants for builders to meet the crisis head-on. Additionally, incentivizing builders to sell homes at affordable prices with long-term affordability clauses can help ensure lasting solutions, rather than the typical buy-sell-profit loop.

The housing crisis is complex, but removing barriers to new construction and allocating capital are important first steps. By addressing these systemic issues, the U.S. can move towards a housing system that supports all families, promoting long-term stability, equity, and economic opportunity. Starter homes make stronger communities for everyone.

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Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, or just curious about how government decisions shape the places we live, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss"

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The leadership journey is an opportunity to open up the untapped potential within ourselves, but more importantly, those in our sphere of influence. This potential is God given and awaits to be unleashed for your team, your family and your future.

As it is often said, leadership is not merely a position or a title; it's a state of mind, and a way one approaches life. It's about discovering unique strengths, cultivating self-awareness, and honing one’s abilities to inspire, guide, and empower.

My wife and I are teaching one of our sons to drive a car, and honestly it is a bit stressful and scary at times. Our collective tendency is to be critical, to remind him what not to do, to be stern and highly directive (ok, sometimes it’s life and death, so we can give ourselves a break, right?). And yet we know this is his time to step up, to literally take the wheel, and make good decisions. Of course we are concerned about safety first, but letting him put what he has learned into practice requires letting go and encouraging, and biting our tongues, especially when we know instinctively what needs to happen.

If we want those around us to grow, they must own their actions and make decisions for themselves and learn from their mistakes. Impeding mistakes is, well, a mistake.

We possess the power to such incredible things, but to truly scale, we must believe in those around us and give the space for capacity to emerge through responsibility.

Real-time challenges are the real-world opportunities for growth and transformation, but that means often times we must resist acting.

How do we catch ourselves when we feel the need to control and give the answers, or worse, do the work for someone else? In my experience, trust is often the pathway to developing a culture of collaboration, where different voices are invited in for discussion, and insight and various levels of experience are valued. If we don’t have to be right, or get our way, often we can elevate others ideas and help them grow into their potential as they define solutions.

If the path becomes bumpy and difficult to navigate, you may need to encourage yourself with the simple reminder that setbacks are the training necessary for future, more important challenges. Winston Churchill, who was no stranger to resistance, was know to have said “success consists of going from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm”. Churchill had that uncanny ability to be incredibly serious, but also to have a good laugh through dry humor along the way.

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Finally, never forget the importance of simply taking care of yourself. Prioritize your well-being through periodic movement, exercise, get outdoors, and cultivate a curious mindset.

Create space to mediate, pray, reflect and keep asking questions of everyone you meet, seek feedback, and remain open to new perspectives. Nourishing your heart and soul is not an option, it is not extravagant. Lead yourself well, so you can be an inspiration to others.

Our world needs your vision, your empathy and your ability to bring out the best in others. Your healthy leadership will create a ripple effect of positive change that will be felt for generations.

Empowering others to their greatest capacity is the only way to scale your impact and make your greatest contribution.

If you are like me, trying to stay on top of your communications and fundraising strategies is like riding a bike without a light at dusk while night falls.  You know how to ride, you know where to go, but the light is fading ever so quickly. You double down and pedal harder, which moves you faster, but is it in the right direction?

Details matter in in how and what we do to connect with people from all walks of life.

The Lilly School of Philanthropy recently shared some excellent research from philanthropy researcher Dr. Holly Hull Mioric with University of Texas, Dallas that indicates some unique considerations for how we approach our fundraising strategy with respect to the millennial generation.  The First Day Podcast is an excellent resource and I recommend you take the time to listen to their weekly updates, but I’ll summarize some key takeaways to consider:

·         There are 75 Million millennials in North America – those born between 1980 and 1999 and many are “digital natives” –meaning they were born into the technology era and don’t have a frame of reference outside of digital communication.  Perhaps it’s obvious then that digital engagement is key to connecting with millennials?

·         Social media space is where millennial relationships are being developed and expressed as information and opinions are shared. Some of the traditional tools of fundraising like galas do not work as well with millenials, and many are interested in being hands on and making every dollar impact.  Inclusion of friends/coworkers via social media around important causes is very important.  It’s not that in-person contact is not important, but it’s more important that transparency and authenticity are evident, rather than specific “events”.

·         Many millennials are doing their own thing when it comes to giving and they are not necessarily following in the footsteps of the previous generation.  They are finding their own path that resonates with their values. 

·         The history and credibility of established brands is perhaps a little less important, as millennials are drawn to how these organizations are impacting social justice and helping to create equity for disenfranchised individuals.      

Action steps to consider in engaging millennials in your mission:

1.       Talk to millenials and identify opportunities for them to bring friends to your cause.   

2.       Develop less formal activities to connect.

3.       Invite to committee’s and boards in order to engage opinions and ideas.

Thanks to @ahhmiori @UT_Dallas @_billstan @IUPhilanthropy  for the excellent resources provided through ongoing research, publishing and courses offered.

If you would like to share what is working for you in your practice, or have questions that I can help answer based on my 20 years of fundraising, I’d love to connect @scottengmann, Instagram @scott.engmann or contact via email sengmann@gmail.com

South Dakota legislators will meet this week to review some of the most important bills that will impact housing, perhaps ever in South Dakota, and it is very important that they prioritize to impact solutions where the math doesn’t work otherwise.

SB53, 64 & HB1033 are key, but we need to make sure these do not become pork for “type A”, market and higher end housing solutions that would work well without the state support.

Talk to our major developers as I have, and you will see they are making market rate housing work profitably given demand, current interest rate environment and long-term non-recourse financing available through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Investors are eagerly looking for such investments and will commit capital for a stable, predictable return. Is their risk? Yes! Is it hard work to create these opportunities? For sure, but this is what for profit developers do, and with a backdrop of need for thousands of new units, they are not in need of state dollars, unless they are renting or selling below market rate and need subsidy to meet their investment objectives. Profit is not a bad thing, but should state dollars increase profit margins?

In my estimation, incentive or “end of mile” funding is not necessarily always the for profit developers challenge, due to the power of TIF and in-fill opportunities within existing developments, rather they face material and workforce shortages, delays and overall operational cost escalations.  But, they can adjust rent and home costs up to cover them while still meeting their target market.  Whereas, your nonprofit builders are trying to meet the need of our critical workforce without profit, for those who although fully employed, in fields such as law enforcement, teaching and healthcare, cannot afford the quickly escalating market rates.

It is with nonprofit builders/developers where South Dakota taxpayer support is desperately needed, to ensure housing is built and delivered at the pricing needed by our workforce.

Nonprofits are often the only housing providers “in town” particularly in rural SD, and on reservations, and we need to make sure they can access available funds when they traditionally layer other state and federal programs.

As I continue to say, housing, if not addressed, is the silent crisis that will hinder some of  the most important initiatives in decades including B21 @Ellsworth, Albany Farms Ramen plant in Belle Fourche, Aesir Battery plant in Rapid City, and Amazon fulfillment center in Sioux Falls. For these projects to work, and for more to come as Governor Noem aspires, $14-$18 hour employees will need homes and apartments that they can afford. To replicate and build on this success, we need a pipeline of workforce housing inventory yesterday!

As the urban areas like Rapid City and Sioux Falls experience price escalation, rural communities like Kadoka, SD need critical infrastructure upgrades in order to keep their water and sewer systems working correctly. Many systems were installed in the 1930’s and have not been improved, while population is now surging. Infrastructure typically requires state and federal support layered together to get to the finish line. To be effective, legislation such as HB1033, 64 & SB53 should not hinder applicants from utilizing other funding sources to meet the stated objectives.

Housing supply isn’t keeping pace with SD population growth, and we are not alone in this. According to the NAR, across America, construction of entry level homes has fallen from 418,000 per year in 1970’s to 65,000 in 2020 resulting in a shortage of 2.1M homes for sale. The new housing needs assessment underway in Rapid City will provide what I believe will be a very shocking picture of housing need, far surpassing the 3,500 units revealed in Benchmark Data’s 2018 study, but we will learn more hopefully by March, after 2022 session is complete.

The crisis in housing is real, some of us feel it more than others, but it touches us all. Legislators have a once in a lifetime opportunity to allocate very significant dollars to meet the need head on. If they put it where it most matters, with the efficient and accountable access, we will actually see housing results not years or decades away, but in the months to come.

The Governor’s bills exclude nonprofits, which are the drivers of workforce housing in many or most communities across SD.  The reality is that in many communities there are no other private sector developers.  Nonprofit developers are the ones who are working hard to fill these needs, with the exception of a few for profit developers in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

South Dakota Housing Development Agency (SDHDA) is the only agency with a proven track record of making good use of the funds and getting them to where they need to go.   The language in the two bills about Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) as a grantor is very confusing and makes no sense when the agency has very little if any experience in housing funding, nor does it have staffing to support. In contrast, SDHDA has a dedicated board of governors, program staff and processes that exist to allocate housing funds every day. And yes, SDHDA can do grants.

It’s also a mystery why there is no inclusion in the bills to allocate funds through the Housing Opportunity Fund, created as part of Build South Dakota in 2013, to do the very thing the Governor intends – build workforce housing in South Dakota. Unfortunately there has been discussion about revolving loan funds, despite the fact that the legislators summer housing study indicated otherwise. Revolving loans, although the fallback mechanism for state funding, should not be the exclusive business model.

Finally, it is clear that the Governor's plan has no appreciation for the need for rehabilitation funds in communities, despite the fact that cities like Rapid City have a proliferation of dilapidated homes over 50 years old representing over 50% of the core housing stock. These unsafe homes are becoming dangerous and unrepairable, without direct investment.  

The Governor is right to lead with a bold Housing initiative in 2022, but it needs to be allocated for the right things in the right way, so taxpayers can see the true direct housing impact of the investment in 2022. We can’t afford to wait 5 -10 years for housing impact when it was needed that long ago.

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