RUTLAND, August 30, 2007 – Finding suitable housing in North Dakota’s rural communities is not an easy task. In many areas, it has been a generation since new homes or apartments were built. In that time, both the economy and the housing needs of the people have changed.
Tools designed to help rural community leaders address these housing shortfalls will be showcased at a Regional Housing Roundtable on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Rutland Town Hall in Rutland, ND.
“Many communities lack appropriate housing for their aging population, and do not have single-family housing available for a workforce. At the roundtable, there will be an opportunity to learn about technical assistance, grant opportunities and loan programs that address these challenges,” said Jolene Kline, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s (NDHFA) planning and housing development director.
Roundtable attendees will have an opportunity to learn what a demand analysis is and how it can be used to expand housing opportunities in a community. They will also be introduced to a Statewide Technical Assistance Team (STAT) and learn what resources the group can provide to communities.
“STAT was established to aid communities in devising a housing strategy, and offers the support and resources needed to meet their housing goals,” said Kline, who heads the group.
Assistance from STAT is targeted to communities of less than 20,000 population. A collaboration of both public and non-profit agencies, the partners help community leaders define housing needs, develop necessary projects and see the projects through to completion.
City and county commissioners; legislators; housing, economic and job development authority members; local lenders; and rural electric cooperative representatives are encouraged to attend the roundtable. The Area Horizon’s Housing Committee will serve as the event sponsor. There is a $5 charge to cover the cost of materials and dinner. If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Diane Smith at (701) 724-3375 or jtcsgrandma (at) yahoo (dot) com.
In addition to the NDHFA staff, representatives of CommunityWorks North Dakota; Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance; Fannie Mae Community Business Center; North Dakota Department of Commerce; North Dakota Rural Development Council and the Center for Technology and Business; USDA Rural Development; and US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development have been invited to participate.
For more information about resources available to communities, contact Jolene Kline at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621, (800) 366-6888 (TTY) or info (at) ndhfa (dot) org.
