Grant portal is now closed!
Grant awards announcement will be made January 23, 2024
Purpose
The Rural Workforce Housing Grant supports non-profit organizations and/or local governments in development and improvement of affordable housing options for the workforce in rural areas.
Mission
The Department of Commerce leads the efforts to attract, retain, and expand wealth and improve the quality of life for the people of North Dakota.
Program Objectives
- Increase the availability of affordable housing options for the rural workforce.
- Improve the quality and safety of existing housing units.
- Encourage partnerships and collaboration between local organizations, businesses, and government entities.
- Support innovative approaches to address unique challenges faced by rural areas in housing development.
- Foster community development and revitalization efforts in rural regions.
Eligibility
The Rural Workforce Housing Grant may support the following types of grants to non-profits and/or local governments in North Dakota:
- Eligible Entities – City, County, Economic Development organization (JDA, regional Councils, EDC, CVB) and local tribal entities
- Eligible Activities
- Conduct a housing study
- Purchase blighted properties or vacant lots
- Remove hazards or rehabilitate structures from blighted properties
- Up to $10,000 per business or improvements if the business is located in a mixed use property
How much funding is available? Communities are eligible for up to $300,000 but can include multiple of the activities listed above. If you are planning to use the funds for multiple activities, we are asking that you submit one application that would include all planned usage of those funds.
Rural shall be defined as any community or region, based on the application, with a population of less than 10,000.
Matching Requirements
Matching funds are encouraged but not required.
2023 Timeline
- OPEN: November 20
- CLOSE: January 8 - 5:00 p.m. CST - Application period is now closed!
- Award: January 12
Project Timeline
All projects must be completed within 18 months of award notification.
Rural Workforce Housing/Removal of Slum and Blight Grant recipients:
- Bowman County Housing Authority received $273,560 to remove 7-10 old, dilapidated, or vacant structures and prep the lots for future housing development.
- Carrington Chamber EDC received $33,873.33 to conduct a housing study and assist businesses that are in a mixed-use facility with renovations.
- Casselton Economic Development was awarded $50,000 to conduct a housing study and assist businesses that are in mixed-use facilities with renovations.
- Cavalier County JDA received $20,000 to conduct a housing study.
- Hankinson Community Development Corporation received $25,000 to remove dilapidated homes and prep lots for future housing development.
- The City of Lincoln was awarded $5,000 to conduct a housing study.
- Mayport Economic Development Corporation received $15,000 to remove dilapidated homes and prep lots for future housing development.
- Sheyenne GRIT received $41,550 to remove dilapidated homes and prep lots for future housing development.