BISMARCK, ND – March 10, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) has secured a $174,677 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant, ensuring households statewide will have access to homebuyer education and/or housing counseling services in 2011.
“The grant will pay for educational services provided to individuals and families learning about the home buying process and counseling services that help financially troubled households remain homeowners,” said Jan Fischer, NDHFA servicing coordinator. “Counseling agencies also offer financial literacy training to renters and homeless individuals and families.”
The funds will be split between eight NDHFA affiliates. The organizations receiving grant dollars include: Community Action Partnership of Minot, $14,014; Community Action Partnership of Dickinson, $31,532; Community Action Program Region VII of Bismarck, $17,518; Family Life Services Inc. of West Fargo, $3,413; Grand Forks Housing Authority of Grand Forks, $53,070; Lutheran Social Services of Fargo, $37,610; Red River Valley Community Action of Grand Forks, $3,503; and South Eastern North Dakota Community Action Agency of Fargo, $14,014.
“North Dakota Housing coordinates the grant application process because our mission is to ensure that all North Dakotans have access to safe, decent and affordable housing,” said Mike Anderson, NDHFA executive director.
The housing counseling grants are awarded annually through a competitive process. The organizations that apply must be preapproved by HUD and are subject to biennial performance reviews to maintain their approved status.
National and regional agencies like NDHFA distribute much of the grant funding to community-based organizations that provide guidance to low- and moderate-income families seeking to improve their housing conditions. The larger organizations also help improve the quality of housing counseling services and enhance coordination among other counseling providers.
