Marcie Wuitschick Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Marcie Wuitschick Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the winding down of its temporary pandemic emergency response program for renters facing housing instability. This move comes as federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is set to expire in September 2025.
Since May 2021, North Dakota has utilized these funds to support over 56,000 individuals across 51 of the state's 53 counties. These resources have been crucial for both those experiencing homelessness and those at risk of losing their homes.
HHS currently receives about 200 new applications weekly from households either unhoused or at risk of eviction. To ensure alignment with the funding expiration, HHS will cease accepting applications from homeless households on March 15 and from those at risk of eviction on June 30.
The state aims to maximize the use of available funds to provide eviction prevention resources until September 15, which marks the anticipated end date for all pandemic-related assistance.
Governor Kelly Armstrong's housing agenda highlights both crisis services and stabilization resources. The executive budget requests being reviewed by the 69th Legislative Assembly include proposals for additional resources through agencies such as the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and HHS. There are also requests to address housing supply issues via programs managed by entities like the Bank of North Dakota (BND) and Department of Commerce.
Since its inception in May 2021, the North Dakota Housing Stability program has collaborated with local partners to deliver temporary rental assistance, eviction prevention, and re-housing aid to over 56,283 individuals in more than 28,466 households statewide. Notably, one-third of these beneficiaries were children aged between zero and seventeen years old. The initiative has facilitated an investment exceeding $187 million in federal funds for these purposes.
The HHS-coordinated temporary emergency housing assistance encompasses three main programs under its Housing Stability effort: re-housing assistance for homeless individuals; temporary rental aid for stabilizing housing situations; and one-time payments aimed at preventing imminent evictions.
For inquiries related to HHS Housing Assistance, contact dhserb@nd.gov or call (701) 328-1907.
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