BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota’s Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) has been awarded a competitive grant of $3.4 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding is designated to support the efforts of nonprofit providers, public housing authorities, and government agencies dedicated to offering housing and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
“Effectively tackling homelessness requires a united community approach. In North Dakota, we are fortunate to have local agencies and government partners who are committed to working collaboratively. Together, we aim to not only provide shelter but also to understand and address the underlying causes of homelessness,” said North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) Executive Director Dave Flohr.
The ND CoC was, in turn, able to allocate funding to 24 projects across the state following a competitive application process. Recipients of the funds utilize a coordinated entry system and provide housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
“Housing is a basic human need, and lays the foundation for safety, stability, and economic growth. While homelessness is a complex challenge with various contributing factors, housing is the essential first step. These funds will support the CoC’s mission of transitioning individuals and families who have faced homelessness into secure housing with the necessary support services,” said ND CoC Coordinator, Shawnel Willer.
HUD’s CoC program fosters a communitywide commitment to eradicate homelessness by providing funding to enhance access to and effective utilization of programs, optimizing self-sufficiency for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. You can access HUD’s funding notice, the CoC’s collaborative application, and funding results online.
ND CoC’s geographic area encompasses all 53 of North Dakota’s counties, its cities, towns, and unincorporated areas, as well as the state’s five federally recognized tribes. More information about the CoC and the state’s homeless service providers is available on the CoC website, ndcontinuumofcare.org. Individuals and families in immediate need of assistance should call FirstLink’s 2-1-1 helpline.
A self-supporting and mission-driven state agency, NDHFA is dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. The agency staffs the CoC and is the collaborative applicant, developing the grant application on the CoC’s behalf. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Governor Doug Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley, oversees NDHFA.
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