Find Homeowner Assistance Fund Programs by State: Read More

SDHDA Awards Bob Dooley with Friend of Housing Award

Published on October 31, 2018 by South Dakota Housing Development Authority
SDHDA Awards Bob Dooley with Friend of Housing Award

PIERRE, SD – South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) presented its “Friend of Housing” Award to Bob Dooley, former warden of the Mike Durfee State Prison (MDSP), at the annual statewide housing conference. This is the nineteenth year of SDHDA presenting the award to an individual who has made a commitment to affordable housing in South Dakota through their contributions, achievements and vision.

South Dakota HFA News Bob Dooley AwardDooley spent 22 years contributing to affordable housing efforts in South Dakota. As former warden of the MDSP, he collaborated with former Gov. Bill Janklow in 1996 to produce an affordable housing program known as the Governor’s House Program. The program, which has sold over 2,600 houses, was created as a way to provide reasonably sized, affordable homes to income-qualified individuals and families while allowing inmates to learn homebuilding skills which help them with employment opportunities when they are released from prison.

Dooley embraced the program by tackling an abundance of obstacles.  He worked through a myriad of security, space and scheduling issues the program presented for a low-medium security prison.  As the program expanded Dooley changed logistics to ensure the program had the appropriate space required to support the changes.

“Bob was a statewide leader in helping to initiate, introduce, and continually support the Governor’s House Program. He understood the importance of producing a quality product to help sustain communities across the state of South Dakota while also ensuring that inmates with too much idle time would learn useable skills for their release from prison,” Executive Director Mark Lauseng said. “Bob knew the impact the Governor’s House Program had for inmates and for the facility he was entrusted with.”

The Friend of Housing Award was started 18 years ago to recognize individuals and/or companies who are instrumental in providing affordable housing in South Dakota. Annually, SDHDA accepts nominations for the award and announces the recipient at their annual housing conference.

About the Friend of Housing Award
The Friend of Housing award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding commitment to affordable housing in South Dakota through their tireless contributions, achievements and vision. It is given to those who have made affordable housing a large part of their life.

About South Dakota Housing Development Authority
South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) was created by the South Dakota legislature in 1973 with a stated mission to provide decent, safe and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income South Dakotans.  SDHDA is a self-supporting, nonprofit entity that uses no State tax dollars to fund its operating budget.  SDHDA utilizes housing bonds, tax credits and other federal and state resources to fund housing programs that provide mortgage and downpayment assistance, housing construction and rehabilitation, homelessness prevention and rental assistance.

Media Contact
Mark Lauseng
Executive Director
605.773.3181