Housing advocate Dan urges North Dakota committee to double funding for housing incentive fund

The North Dakota House Appropriations Government Operations Division convened on March 20, 2025, to discuss critical funding needs for affordable housing in the state. A significant focus of the meeting was a proposal to increase the Housing Incentive Fund (HIF) appropriation from $25 million to $50 million, a move advocated by several stakeholders, including Dan, a representative from Beyond Shelter.

Dan emphasized the urgent need for affordable housing, citing a growing demand evidenced by a waitlist of 72 senior households for just 39 units at the Plaza Apartments in Fargo. He highlighted that Beyond Shelter currently operates 569 affordable senior housing units across various communities, with an average vacancy rate of only 1.9%. This tight housing market is expected to worsen with the anticipated influx of 3,000 workers due to the Sentinel project in 2027.

The proposed increase in the HIF is seen as a strategic investment that could significantly enhance the supply of affordable housing statewide. Dan noted that the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency is consistently oversubscribed, indicating a strong demand for funding to support planned developments. He provided examples of successful projects, including a partnership with the Burley County Housing Authority, which demonstrated a return on investment of $9 for every dollar invested in affordable housing.

Emily Contreras, executive director of the Grand Forks Community Land Trust and Minot Area Community Land Trust, also spoke at the meeting. She discussed how community land trusts make homeownership more accessible by retaining ownership of the land, allowing for greater subsidies and ensuring homes remain affordable for future buyers. Contreras expressed gratitude for the recent inclusion of community land trusts in the HIF funding, which she described as a game changer for their organizations.

The discussions underscored the critical role of affordable housing in community and economic development in North Dakota. The committee's decision on the proposed funding increase will be pivotal in addressing the pressing housing needs across the state.