The Housing Incentive Fund (HIF) is a state-funded gap financing program used with federal and private dollars to create affordable multifamily housing in urban and rural communities. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) administers the program on behalf of the state of North Dakota. Leveraged as an upfront, one-time investment, HIF ensures rental homes will be affordable for a minimum of 15 years. On average, HIF covers 20% of the gap financing needed to move a project forward.
The North Dakota Legislative Assembly created HIF in 2011. The state’s $105 million investment in HIF has resulted in 88 unique projects and 3,034 affordable rental homes.
Legislators approved $13.75 million in funding during the 68th legislative session.
People: Everyone Deserves a Safe and Affordable Place to Call Home
A home is considered to be affordable when 30% or less of earned income is spent on housing expenses. Households paying more than 30% are considered housing cost burdened. For some North Dakotans, a strong work ethic is not enough to be able to secure safe and affordable housing.
Reality of North Dakotan’s Housing-Cost Burden
gross rent increase during the past decade – twice the rate of inflation
0%
of all renter households are burdened by housing costs
0%
of renters ages 65 and older are burdened by housing costs
0%
of all rental units are affordable to extremely low-income households
Employment does not always offer a route out of poverty and many people who are working continue to face housing insecurity. The “working homeless” is driven by a combination of upfront costs, expensive rents, limited options and housing voucher barriers.
Successful Projects: HIF Helps Communities Thrive
Anyone can live in HIF-funded housing as long as they meet certain income requirements. Some properties target a specific population such as persons over the age of 55, individuals who are chronically homeless or survivors of domestic violence.
Learn how a stable home made a difference in the lives of two Edwinton Place tenants.
We Need All Forms of Housing: Types of Housing
North Dakota communities have unique housing needs that vary based on economic growth, job openings and unemployment rates, demographic trends, and availability of existing housing. Housing at different price points creates a healthy community environment.
Need for Rehabilitation: Risk of Losing Affordable Housing
Currently, there are only 951 income- and rent-restricted housing units affordable to extremely low-income households. Many of the properties in these housing programs have been in service for decades and are in need of repair and/or rehabilitation.
HIF provides a means of rehabilitating and preserving older, affordable housing units to ensure affordable rents for an additional 15 years.
Total Households by Income and Tenure
Income and Rent Restricted Housing Units
Total Households by Income and Tenure
2020-2025 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment
Income and Rent Restricted Housing Units
2020-2025 North Dakota Statewide Housing Needs Assessment