See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Box Elder, SD (2026)
Box Elder sits adjacent to Ellsworth Air Force Base on the northeast side of Rapid City and is one of the fastest-growing cities in South Dakota, with population up roughly 22% from 2022 to 2024. The typical home value is around $355,000 — about $50,000 to $100,000 below similar homes in Pennington and Meade counties, making it a relatively affordable option for the western SD region. Box Elder does not have a city-funded down payment assistance program, but buyers can pair the SDHDA Fixed Rate Plus second mortgage worth 3% or 5% of the loan amount (0% interest, due-on-sale) with GROW South Dakota's $5,000-$10,500 deferred DPA loan and the SDHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate, which returns up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits. Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity serves Pennington County and offers an alternative path through sweat equity. Active-duty military buyers stationed at Ellsworth AFB should also explore the federal VA loan program, which requires no down payment.
State Programs in South Dakota
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor's House Program | Government Property Sale Program | Two-bedroom home from $86,000; three-bedroom from $96,000 | No | View → |
| GROW South Dakota Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | $5,000 to $10,500 | No | View → |
| SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer Program (Fixed Rate Plus) | Silent Second Mortgage | 3% or 5% of loan amount | Yes | View → |
| SDHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) | Tax Credit | Federal tax credit up to $2,000 per year (30% of mortgage interest) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- Two-bedroom home from $86,000; three-bedroom from $96,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 to $10,500
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Silent Second Mortgage
- Amount:
- 3% or 5% of loan amount
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Federal tax credit up to $2,000 per year (30% of mortgage interest)
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Repayable Loan | Affordable mortgage plus subordinate deferred mortgage to bridge affordability gap | No | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage plus subordinate deferred mortgage to bridge affordability gap
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. SDHDA programs cap purchase price at $410,000 in non-targeted areas — most Box Elder homes fall comfortably below this cap.
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The NeighborWorks course is offered online at no cost. GROW SD requires the certificate at least 48 hours before closing.
Get pre-approved with an SDHDA participating lender. Find a lender at sdhousing.org or call SDHDA at 800-540-4241. Active-duty military should ask about VA loans.
Contact GROW South Dakota at (605) 698-7654 to apply for deferred DPA. Black Hills Area Habitat applicants should apply directly through blackhillshabitat.org.
Find a home in Box Elder within program price limits and use it as your primary residence. The Ellsworth AFB Housing Office at (605) 394-5001 can also help military buyers identify off-base options.
Submit your full application package. Plan 30 to 60 days from contract to close once all assistance is approved.
Close on your home. Confirm any second mortgages and the SDHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate are recorded at closing.