Commerce contributes to housing redevelopment in Cass County

The North Dakota Department of Commerce attended Demo Day, a groundbreaking celebration hosted yesterday by the Housing Authority of Cass County for the redevelopment of public housing units on the 800 block of Sheyenne Street in West Fargo. 

Replacing the previous units, the new housing complexes known as Brighton and Monterey Apartments will provide energy-efficient affordable housing for 85 income-eligible senior households. 

The redevelopment was achieved through a collaborative effort involving local, state and federal funds.   

Commerce’s Community Services Division provided funding from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). 

“Throughout the years, we have seen several projects prosper as result of the HOME and Community Development programs,” Commerce Community Services Division Director Bonnie Malo said. “Collaboration with local communities has made it possible for Commerce to use allocated funds for the development of housing solutions across our state.” 

Administered by Commerce, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program loaned $712,000 to the Housing Authority of Cass County for the Monterey apartments. Funds were used toward eligible project costs for construction of the 45-unit apartment building, with five units designated as HOME-assisted for low-income families.  

Commerce receives HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program’s purpose is to increase the supply of safe, sanitary and affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income households. 

The Housing Authority also received $300,000 from the CDBG Grant administered by Commerce to be used toward the land acquisition portion of the project. Monterey and Brighton each received $150,000 from the grant. Funds were granted on behalf of the Governor’s Office CDBG set-aside funding. 

Additional redevelopment funds were provided by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Housing Incentive Fund programs, and other public and private investments. 

“Commerce’s Community Services Division is honored to have had the opportunity to contribute to this redevelopment effort,” Malo said. “Our division is dedicated to improving the quality of life across our state and this housing project will have a positive lasting impact for residents in the area.”