Grants Available to Make Housing Accessible

September 8, 2010

by North Dakota RealEstateRama

Category: News || Grants, Housing & Development | No Comments

BISMARCK, ND – September 8, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The Industrial Commission of North Dakota has approved $50,000 in grants to renovate properties occupied by low-income people with physical disabilities.

Administered by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA), the Rehab Accessibility Program (RAP) grants typically fund improvements such as wheelchair ramps, door levers, walk-in/roll-in showers, grab bars and widening doorways.

“NDHFA’s rehabilitation grants offer an affordable solution for people with disabilities, many of whom are elderly, to remove barriers and turn their house into an accessible and comfortable home,” said Gov. John Hoeven.

“Improvements made with program dollars must address the accessibility needs of the disabled household member,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “Approximately a dozen households are expected to benefit from these property improvements in the upcoming year.”

“RAP grants complement the Housing Finance Agency’s mission to provide safe and affordable housing for all North Dakotans,” said Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. “The funds can be used to upgrade either single- or multi-family housing.”

Eligible applicants must earn less than 80 percent of the county median income. A grant of up to $4,000 may be awarded with a limit of one grant per property in a fiscal year. Matching funds of at least 25 percent of the total project cost are required.

For an application or more information on RAP, contact Nancy Rice at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621 or (800) 366-6888 (TTY). Information is also available online at www.ndhfa.org.

The Industrial Commission of North Dakota, consisting of Gov. John Hoeven, as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees NDHFA.

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Media Contact: Sarah Mudder, (701) 328-8056 or info (at) ndhfa (dot) org