Single-Family Housing Rehab Program Grants Approved

BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved an allocation of almost $200,000 today through Helping Housing Across North Dakota (HAND). The program addresses the housing rehab needs of lower-income individuals and families by providing grants to targeted community programs. North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) administers the program.

“Helping HAND ensures North Dakotans of limited means continue to have a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Commission members in a joint statement. The Industrial Commission, consisting of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees NDHFA.

The 2020 grant distribution follows:

• Community Action Partnership, Dickinson/Williston, $15,479.
• Community Action Partnership, Minot, $20,489.
• Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency, Devils Lake, $15,505.
• Red River Valley Community Action, Grand Forks, $21,441.
• Southeastern ND Community Action Agency, Fargo, $42,709.
• Community Action Region VI, Jamestown, $11,697.
• Community Action Program Region VII, Bismarck, $27,080.
• Spirit Lake Tribal Housing, Fort Totten, $14,666.
• Trenton Indian Service Area, Trenton, $14,666.
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, $14,666.
• Rebuilding Together, Fargo, $800.
• Rebuilding Together, Mandan, $800.

Helping HAND assistance is provided to households with incomes that do not exceed 80 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s median for the county in which their home is located. Matching funds of at least 25 percent of the total project costs are required to access the grant dollars.

“Through Helping HAND, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency has allocated over $6 million in agency earnings since the program began in 1993 to assist more than 7,500 lower-income individuals and families statewide,” said Dave Flohr, NDHFA interim executive director.

NDHFA is a self-supporting state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. More information on the agency and the affordable housing programs it administers is available online at www.ndhfa.org.

Developers Mark Completion of Dacotah Ridge Redevelopment

Dacotah Ridge is made up of an eight-plex that completed redevelopment in March 2018 and a 16-plex that had to be demolished due to structural issues and reconstructed.

DICKINSON, ND – Affordable Housing Developers Inc. (AHDI) and its development partner, Mountain Plains Equity Group (MPEG), marked the completion of the Dacotah Ridge Apartments redevelopment today by hosting an Open House. AHDI purchased the property from The ARC of Dickinson in 2017. Local, state and federal dollars supported the acquisition and rehab of the rental property that is occupied primarily by elderly and disabled households.

“Many of Dacotah Ridge’s tenants have very limited incomes,” said Andrea Diede, AHDI executive director. “When we discovered that part of the rehab project was going to become a demolition project, we were very concerned about securing the resources needed and relocating the tenants for an extended period. Our priority was to make the buildings safe so that these individuals could continue to call Dacotah Ridge home. Fortunately, we were able to secure additional assistance from the state and we had great local support.”

Dacotah Ridge is made up of an eight-plex that completed redevelopment in March 2018 and a 16-plex that had to be demolished due to structural issues and reconstructed. Construction wrapped on the second building in September. The original project estimate was pegged at $4.16 million. The final cost was $6.18 million.

Affordable Housing Developers Inc. and Mountain Plains Equity Group spearheaded the redevelopment of the Dacotah Ridge property.

“Our purpose is to provide a safe, quality place to live that is affordable. We were proud to team with Affordable Housing Developers and offer our sincere thanks to the organizations that helped make this project possible,” said Don Sterhan, MPEG president and CEO.

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) was the project’s primary funding source, providing $411,761 in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits that were syndicated by WNC Inc. bringing $ 3.5 million in equity to the property. The agency also provided $400,000 through the North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund.

“By affordably housing our most vulnerable state residents, we strengthen and stabilize our communities,” said Jennifer Henderson, NDHFA planning and housing development division director. “We are pleased to be able to provide the support that will allow this valuable housing resource to continue serving Dickinson for years to come.”

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Services awarded $1,216,258 in HOME Investment Funds to the project to support construction. Stark Development Corp. provided the local match, $185,874, required to secure a FlexPACE program loan, valued at $531,070, from Bank of North Dakota. Project financing was provided by Security First Bank of North Dakota.

Located at 560 and 580 8th Street SE, Dacotah Ridge’s eight-plex has one studio and seven one-bedroom units, two units are ADA accessible. The apartments in the 16-plex are all two-bedroom, six of these units are accessible.

Tenancy at Dacotah Ridge is restricted to income-qualified households with the property’s monthly rents ranging from $581 to $617. Housing Assistance Payment contracts further reduce rents through Section 8 tenant-based assistance under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher Program.

As part of the redevelopment, health and safety issues were mitigated, the buildings were brought up to current code, and elevators were installed. In addition, the apartments were outfitted with energy-efficient appliances, economical heating/cooling units, new bathroom fixtures and window coverings.

Individuals who would like to learn more about the apartments can contact MetroPlains Management at (701) 483-1474. Information is also available online at http://www.metroplains.com.

Grant Allocation Benefits Housing Organizations Statewide

BISMARCK, N.D. – Housing organizations statewide will benefit from a grant allocation authorized today by the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC). North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) received permission to distribute $200,000 through its Helping Housing Across North Dakota (Helping HAND) program.

“In the history of the Helping HAND program, more than $5.7 million in grant funds have been put to work by local service providers to assist over 5,000 lower-income individuals and families across the state,” commission members said in a joint statement. The NDIC, consisting of Governor Doug Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees NDHFA.

The 2017 funds will be distributed as follows:

Southeast ND Community Action Agency, Fargo, $46,417

Community Action Program Region VII Inc., Bismarck, $33,841

Red River Valley Community Action, Grand Forks, $25,757

Community Action Partnership, Minot, $20,434

Community Action Partnership, Dickinson/Williston, $17,381

Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency, Devils Lake, $17,164

Community Action Region VI, Jamestown, $13,207

Trenton Indian Service Area, Trenton, $7,333

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, $7,333

Spirit Lake Tribal Housing, Fort Totten, $7,333

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, Fargo, $3,000

Rebuilding Together, Fargo/Moorhead, $800

The Helping HAND program is funded with agency earnings. A local match of 25 percent is required to access the grants. All of the program dollars must be used for North Dakota projects.

“Helping HAND grants typically support housing weatherization and rehabilitation projects,” said Jolene Kline, NDHFA executive director. “We encourage the grant recipients to use the funds to benefit the largest number of households possible.”

Dickinson Project Awarded Redevelopment Assistance

BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Housing Finance Agency recently awarded $315,000 through the state’s Housing Incentive Fund to Mountain Plains Equity Group and Affordable Housing Developers Inc. The assistance provided supports the acquisition and rehabilitation of Dacotah Ridge Apartments, a 24-unit rental property in Dickinson, ND, that is occupied primarily by elderly and disabled households.

“Preserving affordable housing options for those who need it most is one of our highest priorities with the Housing Incentive Fund,” said Jolene Kline, NDHFA executive director. “We are pleased that this valuable housing resource will continue to serve North Dakota for years to come.”

Last November, NDHFA awarded $321,000 in federal tax credit authority to Dacotah Ridge through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The equity created through the sale of the credits is the project’s primary funding source. The HIF funds will supplement a financial gap caused by an unexpected decrease in LIHTC credit value before the equity was able to be provided to the project.

“One of the greatest values of the Housing Incentive Fund is the program’s ability to close gaps in the financing of affordable rental housing,” said Kline.

Since HIF’s 2011 inception, almost $89 million has been allocated to 79 projects, leveraging more than $427 million in construction financing to support the development or rehabilitation of more than 2,500 housing units statewide. During the most recent funding round, NDHFA received five applications for the $1.2 million in HIF assistance that was available due to the cancellation of previous commitments.

NDHFA is a public financial institution dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. The Industrial Commission of North Dakota, consisting of Governor Doug Burgum, as the chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees the state agency.

Housing Incentive Fund Fully Capitalized

BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Industrial Commission announced today that the state’s Housing Incentive Fund (HIF) has been fully capitalized for the biennium. The program relies on taxpayer support to provide low-cost financing to developers of affordable rental housing.

“We are very pleased with the success of the Housing Incentive Fund,” said members of the Commission in a joint statement. “Through the program, almost 2,500 new housing units have been created statewide since 2011, helping to address the demand brought on by North Dakota’s economic growth.”

The Commission, consisting of Governor Jack Dalrymple as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA), the program administrator.

The state legislature reauthorized HIF during the 2015 session approving a $10 million transfer to the program from Bank of North Dakota profits and giving NDHFA $30 million in tax credit authority to further capitalize HIF.

“We are thankful for the support of all of our contributors. It is only with their assistance that the Housing Incentive Fund is able to advance North Dakota’s efforts to provide housing that’s affordable for all of our residents,” said Jolene Kline, NDHFA executive director.

NDHFA began accepting contributions on July 1, 2015. The agency had until Dec. 31, 2016, to secure all of the contributions needed. NDHFA declared the program fully capitalized on October 14, 2016.

A total of 340 contributions were received. A little over half of the monetary support, $15.08 million, came from financial institutions. Businesses contributed $12.27 million with the single-largest contribution being made by Tesoro Corporation at $5.3 million. Individual taxpayers contributed $2.66 million – their average being $9,914. All of the contributors received dollar-for-dollar state income tax credits.

The development assistance provided through HIF this biennium will leverage $196.4 million in construction costs to create 1,105 housing units. The projects are located in Beulah, Bismarck, Bowman, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Gwinner, Hazen, Killdeer, Mandan, Minot, New Rockford, Valley City, Watford City and Williston. More than one-third of the 30 projects will provide housing for special needs households including disabled, homeless and elderly individuals and families.

“We look forward to seeing these developments through to completion, providing the housing our communities need for healthy growth and development,” Kline said.

A self-supporting state agency, NDHFA finances the creation and rehabilitation of affordable housing across North Dakota.

Housing Needs Assessment Regional Forums Planned

BISMARCK, ND – In conjunction with the release of the 2016 Statewide Housing Needs Assessment, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency is hosting regional stakeholder forums across the state to allow community leaders and members of the public to learn more about projected housing needs in their area.

An analysis of the state’s current and future housing needs, the Assessment is available online at www.ndhfa.org. It was conducted by the Center for Social Research and the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University.

The regional forums will feature a presentation by Assessment author Dr. Nancy Hodur as well as a discussion of housing needs and priorities specific to each region. Community leaders, business people, housing stakeholders and the general public are invited to provide their input at these meetings.

Regional Stakeholder Forums, all times are local:

•  Tri-County Region I – Sept. 19 at 10 a.m., Williston Center for Development, Planning and Zoning Conference Room (2nd floor), 113 4th St East, Williston, ND.
• Roosevelt-Custer Region VIII – Sept. 19 at 3 p.m., Dickinson Public Library, Community Room, 139 West 3rd St, Dickinson, ND.
• Souris Basin Region II – Sept. 20 at 10 a.m., Minot Public Library, North Room, 516 2nd Ave SW, Minot, ND.
• North Central Region III – Sept. 20 at 3 p.m., Lake Region State College, Chautauqua Room, 1801 College Dr N, Devils Lake, ND.
• Red River Region IIII – Sept. 21 at 10 a.m., Grand Forks Herald, Community Room (Alley Entrance), 375 2nd Ave N, Grand Forks, ND.
• Lake Agassiz Region V – Sept. 21 at 3 p.m., Fargo Public Library Community Room, 102 N 3rd St, Fargo, ND.
• South Central Region VI – Sept. 22 at 10 a.m., Jamestown/Stutsman County Development Corp., 120 2nd St SE, Jamestown, ND.
• Lewis & Clark Region VII – Sept. 22 at 3 p.m., State Capitol, Pioneer Room, 600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND.

Assessment components include a statewide population and housing forecast, regional profiles and detailed tables broken down by various levels of geography including the state as a whole, the eight planning regions, 53 counties, 12 major cities and four Native American Indian Reservations. An additional study component that examines several special topics such as recent trends in housing costs and special populations will be released in September.

NDHFA is a self-supporting state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Governor Jack Dalrymple as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees the agency.

NDSU’s Center for Social Research is an applied social science research unit dedicated to providing a venue through which a wide variety of research activities are facilitated. Hodur is the Center’s director and has over 25 years of professional experience in applied research, public policy and outreach education.

Affordable Housing a Key Consideration

When making decisions about the future, having access to affordable housing is a key consideration for everyone from community and business leaders to workers and consumers.

“Without affordable housing, it is challenging for businesses to recruit and retain employees,” says Jolene Kline, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency executive director. “And, seniors and disabled individuals need safe, suitable options to be able to remain in a community.”

Through the support of state taxpayers, NDHFA’s Housing Incentive Fund has proven to be an excellent resource in addressing the state’s most critical housing needs. The program provides low-cost financing to developers of affordable housing.

“Since HIF’s inception, we have allocated over $89.6 million to 78 projects,” said Kline. “These dollars have leveraged more than $425 million in construction financing to support the development of 2,450 new housing units statewide.”

NDHFA is currently focused on fully capitalizing the program so it can honor commitments made to projects in Bismarck, Bowman, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Gwinner, Minot, Valley City and Williston. The agency has until Dec. 31, 2016, to raise the $3 million needed.

HIF contributors receive a dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit and can target contributions to a specific project or community. Learn more online at www.ndhousingincentivefund.org or by contacting NDHFA at (800) 292-8621 or hfainfo@nd.gov.

Housing Projects Statewide Split Development Assistance

Housing Incentive Fund Tax Credits Still Available
BISMARCK, ND – The North Dakota Industrial Commission announced today that 10 projects will share $9.7 million from the North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund (HIF) following a spring 2016 funding round. The program supports the development of affordable multifamily housing for essential service workers, main street employees and fixed-income households.

“The Housing Incentive Fund is a powerful resource that has allowed us to address North Dakota’s most critical housing needs,” said members of the North Dakota Industrial Commission in a joint statement. The commission, consisting of Governor Jack Dalrymple as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA), the HIF program administrator.

NDHFA selected projects in Bismarck, Bowman, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Minot, Valley City and Williston. Seven of the projects are new construction with two projects in both Devils Lake and Valley City. The retirement of a portion of the debt for existing Bowman, Dickinson and Williston projects will result in market-rate units being converted to affordable housing and will not increase the communities’ overall housing inventory.

“A set-aside for rural communities in this funding round allowed us to address the needs of under-served areas of the state while also supporting the development of more than two dozen units affordable for extremely-low income households,” said Jolene Kline, NDHFA’s executive director. “Our focus now is on capitalizing HIF so that all of our commitments can be honored and this much-needed housing can be built.”

NDHFA has until Dec. 31, 2016, to raise the final $3 million required to fully capitalize HIF. Individuals and businesses that make contributions receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit. Contributions can be targeted to a specific project or community. More information is available online at www.ndhousingincentivefund.org or by contacting NDHFA at (800) 292-8621 or hfainfo@nd.gov. 

Since HIF’s 2011 inception, $89.6 million has been allocated to 78 projects, leveraging almost $425 million in construction financing to support the development of more than 2,450 new housing units statewide.

A self-supporting state agency, NDHFA finances the creation and rehabilitation of affordable housing across North Dakota.

Affordable Senior Housing Dedicated in Dickinson

Officials celebrate the opening of Heritage Hills, a senior housing complex, in Dickinson, ND.

DICKINSON, ND – Beyond Shelter Inc. (BSI) celebrated the completion of Heritage Hills Apartments in Dickinson, ND, today by hosting a dedication of the affordable senior housing complex.

“It can be challenging for aging and disabled individuals to find housing that is affordable,” said BSI CEO Dan Madler. “Without the multiple layers of support this project received, Beyond Shelter wouldn’t be able to provide a quality housing option that allows fixed-income households to affordably live in the community they call home.”

Apartments at Heritage Hills rent for $352 to $730 per month, depending on household income and unit size. An individual who earns $15,540 or less will qualify to rent a one-bedroom unit in the new development for $352 per month plus utilities.

“Heritage Hills is a great example of how federal, state and local resources can be combined to develop the housing the most vulnerable members of our population need,” said North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) Executive Director Jolene Kline.

NDHFA allocated $1.28 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to Heritage Hills that provided more than $11.85 million in project equity. The agency also awarded $800,000 to the development from the state’s Housing Incentive Fund (HIF).

Heritage Hills in Dickinson, ND.

Through the LIHTC program, property owners receive an annual tax credit from the federal government for up to 10 years in exchange for keeping the housing units affordable for low-income households.

Capitalized by contributions from state taxpayers, HIF is a means for developing affordable multi-family housing for essential service workers, main street employees and fixed-income households.

“NDHFA’s mission is to ensure there are housing options for everyone in the community,” said Kline. “We are pleased to be able to partner with Beyond Shelter and the Stark County Housing Authority to bring this project to completion.”

In addition to the assistance provided by NDHFA, the North Dakota Department of Commerce gave a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant from the governor’s discretionary fund. The City of Dickinson, Stark Development Corporation, and Affordable Housing Developers Inc. also supported the development. American Bank Center provided the project’s construction and permanent financing. The total project cost exceeded $15 million.

Located at 2585 Dakota Boulevard, the development consists of 81 one- and two-bedroom units, all restricted to households age 55 and older. Seventeen units are fully accessible. Individuals interested in learning more about the apartments can contact the property manager, Stark County Housing Authority, at (701) 225-3120 or www.starkcountyhousing.org

American Bank Center Supports Affordable Housing Development

DICKINSON and MINOT, ND – American Bank Center contributed $300,000 to the state’s Housing Incentive Fund (HIF) in November to support the development of affordable housing projects in Dickinson and Minot.

“As a local bank, we see first-hand the housing challenges being faced in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with the Housing Finance Agency to support its goal of providing safe and affordable housing for all North Dakota residents,” said Stan Koppinger, American Bank Center president and CEO.

Since the HIF program began in 2011, American Bank Center has been a consistent supporter, contributing $770,000 in total to the fund. The bank split its most recent contribution between Lincoln Park Townhomes in Dickinson and Park South Apartments in Minot.

“We are grateful for American Bank Center’s continued commitment to HIF,” said Jolene Kline, NDHFA executive director. “With their support, we are able to advance the state’s efforts to provide housing for all North Dakotans. I encourage more businesses and individuals to make a contribution this year, so we can move all of our HIF projects forward.”

Capitalized by contributions from state taxpayers, HIF provides developers of affordable rental housing with low-cost financing if they agree to set-aside units for essential service workers and low- to moderate-income households. Individuals and businesses that contribute to HIF receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit. Contributions can be targeted to a specific project or community.

To honor the commitments it made in July, NDHFA must raise $30 million by Dec. 31, 2016. More information on HIF is available online at www.ndhousingincentivefund.org or by contacting NDHFA at (800) 292-8621 or hfainfo@nd.gov.