Overview of HUD Housing Programs Available in North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers several housing programs designed to help people find affordable places to live. North Dakota residents can learn about these programs through this guide. HUD programs focus on different housing situations, such as renting affordable apartments, owning a home, or finding shelter if you are experiencing homelessness.

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North Dakota has a population of approximately 780,000 people, with about 320,000 households. Like other states, North Dakota faces housing challenges. According to recent data, roughly 12% of North Dakota renters spend more than 50% of their income on rent, which is considered a burden. HUD programs exist to address these kinds of situations.

The main HUD programs operating in North Dakota include public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), project-based rental assistance, and programs for people experiencing homelessness. Each program has different rules, funding levels, and ways it operates. Understanding what each program does can help people learn about options that may relate to their situation.

HUD programs are managed through local public housing authorities (PHAs) in communities across North Dakota. These agencies are responsible for running programs in their areas. Major North Dakota cities with active public housing authorities include Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston. Smaller communities may also have programs available.

Practical Takeaway: Start by identifying which HUD program category matches your housing situation—renting, buying, or homelessness support. Then locate the public housing authority or housing program office serving your area. This guide provides information about each program type so you can learn which programs may be relevant to explore further.

Public Housing in North Dakota

Public housing consists of apartment buildings and housing units owned and operated by local public housing authorities. These properties provide affordable rental housing to households with lower incomes. North Dakota has approximately 3,800 public housing units spread across the state. Public housing is financed through federal funding and operates under strict HUD rules about rent amounts, maintenance standards, and tenant rights.

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Public housing units in North Dakota are located in cities and some rural areas. Examples of communities with public housing include Bismarck, which operates around 550 public housing units; Fargo, with approximately 400 units; and Williston, with roughly 200 units. Smaller towns like Dickinson, Minot, and Grand Forks also maintain public housing properties. The types of housing vary—some properties are designed for elderly residents, some for families, and some for people with disabilities.

Rent in public housing is set at 30% of a household's adjusted gross income, or the operating costs of the property, whichever is lower. This means rent is based on what a person actually earns, not a flat rate. If someone's income changes, their rent may change. Public housing also requires tenants to maintain their units, follow lease rules, and participate in community activities in some cases. Utilities are sometimes included in rent, though this varies by property.

Public housing properties must meet building codes and safety standards. Maintenance and inspections are regular requirements. Tenants have legal rights, including the right to privacy, protection from discrimination, and the right to a fair lease process. HUD also sets rules about who can be denied housing and on what grounds. Criminal history, for example, is reviewed carefully but does not automatically disqualify someone.

To learn more about public housing in your area, contact the public housing authority in the nearest city. Staff can provide information about available units, rental rates, and what to expect in a public housing lease. You can find contact information for North Dakota public housing authorities through the HUD website or by searching "[your city] public housing authority."

Practical Takeaway: Public housing offers rent based on income and is maintained to safety standards. If you are interested in public housing, reach out to your local public housing authority to learn about current units, vacancy rates, and the lease process in your community.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) Program

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, is HUD's largest rental assistance program. Instead of providing housing directly, vouchers give eligible households money to help pay rent for apartments or homes in the private rental market. North Dakota has approximately 5,200 Housing Choice Vouchers in use across the state. This program allows people to choose where they want to live rather than being assigned to a specific public housing property.

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Here is how the program works in basic terms: A person receives a voucher from a local public housing authority. The voucher holder then searches for a rental property they want to live in. When they find a landlord willing to rent to them, HUD pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, and the tenant pays the remaining portion. The tenant typically pays 30% of their income toward rent, and the voucher covers the difference up to a limit set by HUD for that area.

For example, suppose a family earns $1,500 per month. Their required contribution would be $450 (30% of income). If the apartment they want to rent costs $900 per month, and HUD's limit for that area is $900, then HUD would pay $450 and the family would pay $450. However, if the apartment costs $1,200, the family would need to pay the extra $300 from their own budget, or find a more affordable option.

Vouchers in North Dakota are distributed among several public housing authorities serving different regions. Fargo-Moorhead has one of the larger voucher programs, with around 1,000 vouchers. Bismarck operates roughly 600 vouchers. Smaller public housing authorities throughout the state—in cities like Grand Forks, Minot, Dickinson, and Williston—manage their own voucher programs with varying numbers of vouchers available.

The program has waiting lists in most North Dakota communities because demand for vouchers is higher than the number available. Waiting lists can be years long. Some authorities open their lists periodically when funding allows, while others keep lists closed. Checking with your local public housing authority about when or if they accept new applications is important for understanding current conditions.

Practical Takeaway: If you rent and want to learn about housing vouchers, contact your local public housing authority to ask about the program and waiting list status. A voucher gives you choice in where to live while HUD helps pay a portion of your rent based on your income.

Project-Based Rental Assistance and Other HUD Programs

In addition to public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD provides funding for rental assistance that is tied to specific properties rather than to individual people. This is called project-based rental assistance. In North Dakota, this assistance supports various types of housing, including apartments for elderly residents, units for people with disabilities, and family housing. Approximately 2,000 project-based rental assistance units operate throughout the state in properties operated by nonprofit organizations, private landlords, and housing authorities.

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Project-based rental assistance works differently from vouchers. The subsidy stays with the property, not with the tenant. If a tenant moves out, the assistance remains for the next tenant who rents that unit. This approach is used when HUD and property owners want to keep a building affordable on an ongoing basis. Rent in these properties is also typically set at 30% of the tenant's income, though this can vary by property and program.

North Dakota also has HUD programs focused on specific populations. The Continuum of Care program provides funding for homeless services, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. Several North Dakota communities operate these programs, with funding supporting hundreds of beds across the state. These programs combine housing with supportive services like case management and mental health support.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is another HUD initiative that provides funding to states and local governments. In North Dakota, CDBG money supports housing rehabilitation, homeownership assistance, and community development projects. These funds may help people repair or improve existing homes, or support down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

HUD also administers the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), which funds affordable housing development and preservation. North Dakota uses HOME funding for housing construction, rehabilitation, and rental assistance. Nonprofit organizations and developers throughout the state use this funding to create and maintain affordable housing.

Practical Takeaway: