Housing

Housing is a top priority throughout North Dakota and within the region. Single family housing rehabilitation projects are one way the RRRC is assisting local communities with this need.

Using federal, private and local dollars, housing rehabilitation projects assist qualifying low and moderate income homeowners with health and safety issues in their homes at no cost to the homeowner. Common repairs include roofing, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, heating and other safety and accessibility items.

The goals include assisting homeowners in the rehabilitation of their homes they would unlikely have been able to afford otherwise. Rehabilitation meets U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 Housing Quality and Safety Standards, as well as local and state building codes.

By focusing on the preservation, maintenance, and improvement of the existing housing stock, projects assist in addressing an important piece of economic and community vitality. The projects also increase the market value of these homes and contribute to the overall betterment of the individual neighborhoods, community, and county.

The RRRC works with local housing committees to assess needs, develop projects, complete grant writing, manage rehabilitation projects, and manage and meet requirements of local, state, federal, and private funding.

Since 2005, the RRRC has led the implementation of six housing rehabilitation projects in the region with more than $2 million invested in 132 homes. Projects have been located in Walsh County and the cities of Thompson, Drayton, Grafton, Cavalier, and Park River. The RRRC is currently managing a project in the City of Minto.

Housing Rehabilitation Project Seeking Applicants

In partnership with the Nelson County Job Development Authority and Nelson County, the Red River Regional Council (RRRC) is currently seeking interested homeowners for a housing rehabilitation project for owner-occupied homes within Nelson County. Applications are being sought now to meet grant funding deadlines.

The program assists qualifying low income residents with health and safety issues in their homes at no cost to the homeowner. Common repairs include roofing, windows, doors, plumbing, heating, electrical, and other safety or accessibility items.

Determining the number of interested and eligible applicants will assist in developing a possible funding package for the potential project which will include several federal grant funding resources. If grant applications are successful, any potential applicants will need to provide updated income documentation at that time, likely in the summer or fall of 2021. Actual rehabilitation of homes would likely start in the fall of 2021 or early 2022.

Eligiblity

To be eligible for this program, homes must:

Be single-family
Be owner-occupied (no rentals)
Mobile homes are not eligible
Homeowners must not have outstanding debt/taxes with Nelson County or its cities
The cost to rehabilitate a home must be conducive to its true and full value

To be eligible, current total gross household* income must be less than:

1 person $48,100

2 people $54,950

3 people $61,800

4 people $68,650

5 people $74,150

6 people $79,650

*Household is defined as anyone living in a household full-time. Income of anyone age 18 or older is included in household total. These are 2020 income limits that may chance when 2021 income limits are available in spring of 2021. When released, these income thresholds may change slightly.

"I can stand at my kitchen sink and not feel the wind come through the windows. I’m so happy I noticed the ad in the paper announcing the housing rehabilitation program."

Yolanda Balderas

Homeowner

How to Apply

To apply, a two-page application must be completed:

Housing Rehab Application

applicant poster June 2021

Applications are also available at the Lakota City Hall or McVille City Hall during business hours or by contacting the RRRC at 701-352-3550.

In addition to the application, potential applicants must provide the following income documentation:

Copy of 2021 property tax statement.
Copy of 2020 income tax statement.
Copy of the current homeowner’s insurance statement.
Most recent two months of personal bank statements (personal and checking, if applicable).
Copy of 2021 social security benefits, if applicable.
If employed, copies of pay stubs for the past three months.
Proof of any other income (pension, investment, child support, etc.)

Please be advised that further and/or updated income documentation may be necessary when the program begins.

For more information about the project or how to apply, please contact Lori Estad at the RRRC by calling 701-352-3550 or Lori@redriverrc.com