Sioux Falls has experienced a notable decrease in homelessness, according to the 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The count recorded 605 individuals experiencing homelessness, with 562 in sheltered settings and 43 unsheltered. This marks a decline from the 2025 count, which documented 625 individuals, including 565 sheltered and 60 unsheltered.
This reduction is significant as it represents the first decrease in homelessness in Sioux Falls in five years. The PIT totals had remained stable since 2024, despite the city’s continued population growth during the same period. Sheltered counts rose from 387 people in 2022 to 465 in 2023 and 573 in 2024, before dropping slightly to 565 in 2025. Unsheltered numbers also fluctuated, beginning at 20 people in 2022, rising to 25 in 2023, 37 in 2024, and 60 in 2025, before decreasing to 43 in 2026.
The city attributes this positive trend to coordinated efforts with county, state, and service partners to address homelessness. Initiatives such as the implementation of a new city dwellings ordinance, expanded summer outreach partnerships, and the development of an extreme weather plan have contributed to this progress.
While the decrease is encouraging, city officials emphasize the need for continued collaboration and support to sustain and further this progress. Residents are encouraged to support local services and initiatives aimed at assisting individuals experiencing homelessness.