North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

For Immediate Release
February 15, 2012

AGENCY RECOGNIZES AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHAMPIONS

BISMARCK, ND - The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) recognized five of its lending partners and two housing advocates as Champions of Affordable Housing at the 21st Annual Statewide Housing Conference on Feb. 9.

“North Dakota Housing, in collaboration with its affordable housing partners, is having a positive impact on housing issues in North Dakota,” said Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who presented the awards on behalf of the North Dakota Industrial Commission.

NDHFA’s lender awards are based on participation in the Agency’s homeownership programs and involvement in locally sponsored affordable housing projects and events. Receiving lender awards:

Capital Credit Union with seven locations in Bismarck, Mandan, Hazen & Beulah;
Cornerstone Bank, a full service, locally owned community bank;
Dakota Community Bank with eleven branches in North Dakota;
First Community Credit Union, North Dakota’s largest credit union; and,
First Mortgage Service, Inc., a locally owned and operated mortgage company.

Lutheran Social Services Housing, Inc. received NDHFA’s Housing Production Award for Linden Corners Apartments. The Stanley Community Hospital, left vacant for several years, was converted into 17 affordable rental units by Lutheran Social Services Housing. The rental units provide housing for those impacted by increased oil production, as well as households affected by the 2011 Mouse River flood.

“The units were nearly 100 percent pre-leased at the time of Lutheran Social Services’ ribbon cutting with a large waiting list of prospective tenants proving just how needed this housing was in the community of Stanley,” said Stenehjem.

Don Warren, formerly of Bismarck and now a resident of Jamestown, was recognized by NDHFA with the Leadership Award. Warren was a federal public servant working for USDA Rural Development for more than 30 years. In the year preceding his retirement alone, Warren led the efforts to finance nearly $60 million in single-family home loans and more than $5 million in multi-family projects and affordable housing assistance.

Stenehjem praised Warren’s work saying, “Don has a passion to develop new ideas and an unfailing belief in the power of partnerships.”

NDHFA began recognizing its housing partners with the Champion of Affordable Housing Awards in 1995. In addition to recognizing its lending partners and affordable housing advocates, NDHFA honors real estate agents that promote the Agency’s homeownership programs during their association’s annual conference in September. For more information on the awards or other NDHFA programs, contact the Agency at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621, (800)366-6888 (TTY) or www.ndhfa.org.

The Industrial Commission of North Dakota, consisting of Governor Jack Dalrymple, who serves as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees the NDHFA.

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North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

2624 Vermont Avenue, PO Box 1535, Bismarck, ND 58502-1535

Bismarck Main Office -- (701) 328-8080 | Nation Wide Toll Free (800) 292-8621 | Fax (701) 328-8090 | TTY (800) 366-6888

Fargo Field Office -- (701) 239-7255 | ND Toll Free (877) 239-3200 | Fax (701) 239-7257 | TTY(800) 366-6888

Equal Housing Opportunity