April 21, 2010
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North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

DEVILS LAKE - Finding suitable housing in many rural North Dakota communities is a difficult task. In some areas, it has been a generation since new homes or apartments were built. In that time, both the economy and the needs of the people have changed.

Tools designed to help rural leaders address shortfalls will be showcased at a Regional Housing Roundtable on Wednesday, May 19, from Noon to 3 p.m. in the Chautauqua Gallery at Lake Region State College, 1801 College Dr., Devils Lake, ND.
 
"Many communities lack housing that will accommodate an aging population, and do not have appropriate workforce housing. At the roundtable, community leaders have an opportunity to learn about technical assistance and financial resources that address these challenges," said Jolene Kline, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency's planning and housing development director.
 
Roundtable attendees will be introduced to a Statewide Technical Assistance Team and discover what resources these housing professionals can provide.  The attendees will also hear about how a demand analysis can expand housing opportunities, and they will learn to prioritize housing needs.
 
"STAT was established to aid communities in devising a housing strategy, and offers the support and resources needed to help them meet their housing goals," said Kline, who heads the group.
 
Assistance from STAT is targeted to communities of less than 20,000 population. A collaboration of both public and non-profit agencies, the partners help community leaders define housing needs, develop necessary projects and see the projects through to completion. 
 
City and county commissioners; legislators; housing, economic and job development authority members; local lenders; and rural electric cooperative representatives are encouraged to attend the roundtable.
 
Forward Devils Lake is sponsoring the event. There is a $10 charge to cover the cost of materials and lunch. To RSVP or if you have questions, contact Chris Schilken at (701) 662-4933, (800) 233-8048 or forwarddl@gondtc.com. The registration deadline is May 10. 
 
In addition to the NDHFA, other STAT representatives including Affordable Housing Developers, Inc.; CommunityWorks North Dakota; Lutheran Social Services Housing, Inc.; North Dakota Department of Commerce; North Dakota Rural Development Council and the Center for Technology and Business; USDA Rural Development; and US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development have been invited to participate.
 
For more information about housing resources available to rural communities, contact Jolene Kline at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621, (800) 366-6888 (TTY) or info@ndhfa.org.