USDA talks with tribe about housing programs

By Dorreen Yellow Bird, Press Secretary

A state-wide meeting held at UTTC in Bismarck between North Dakota tribal chairmen and Sen. Byron Dorgan discussed Health Care and tribal needs.  High on the March 31 meeting was housing for Fort Berthold.  Due, in part, to the oil boom, housing is almost non-existent in many parts of the reservation.  As a result of those discussions, Sen. Dorgan requested USDA meet with the Three Affiliated Tribes.

On Monday, seven representatives from USDA met with the tribal council to outline their programs.  They outlined ways to get affordable housing for the reservation.  It could be purchasing or renting, exploring new markets for crops or livestock, providing clean drinking water for communities or financing community improvements . . . they are committed to the future of rural communities like reservations the representatives told the tribe. 

The meeting in New Town is a way to kick off the acquisition of more housing on the reservation through various USDA programs said Chairman Marcus Levings.  The USDA programs can fill an urgent need, he added. 

Dale Van Eckhout, program director of business in community, Bismarck, oversees programs such as: 

Housing Programs:  Farm Labor Housing – Loan/Grant; Housing Preservation – Grant; Rural Community Development Initiative; Rural Rental Housing – Direct Loan; Rural Rental Housing – Guaranteed Loan; Single Family Housing – Director Loan; Single Family Housing – Guaranteed Loan; Single Family Housing Repair – Loan/Grant.

For Business and community programs:  Biomass Research and Development Initiative; Business & Industry – Guaranteed Loan; Community Facilities – Director Loan/Grant; Community Facilities – Guaranteed Loan; Distance Learning & Telemedicine – Director Loan/Grant; Electric & Telecommunications – Guaranteed/Director Loan; Intermediary Relending – Loan; Rural Broadband Loans and Loan Guarantees; Rural Business Enterprise Grant; Rural Business Opportunity Grants; Rural Cooperative Development Grant: Rural Economic Development Loan/Grant; Rural Energy for American Program; Small Minority Producer Grant; Solid Waste Management Grant; Value-Added Producer Grant; Water and Wastewater- Direct Loan/Grant; and Water and Wastewater – Guaranteed Loan.

Some of these housing projects have been built on the reservation.  One example is the apartment complex in Twin Buttes.  For housing loans for individuals, you can visit the Fort Berthold Housing authority where Shelly and Lisa will help you.  Their telephone number is 627-5291.  They do not approved applications only provide assistance.

(From left to right)
Geoff Greenwood, Field Representative (Rep. Pomeroy);
Marion K. Houn, Director of Outreach and Planning (Sen. Dorgan);
Lee Kaldor, Deputy State Director (Sen. Dorgan);
Tim Moore, Director of Economic Development (Sen. Conrad)

(From left to right)
Josh Kramer, Community Development program; Dale Van Eckhout, Business and Community program director, Bismarck;
Jasper Schneider, Loan Specialist, Bismarck; Chairman Levings; William Davis, Native American Program Coordinator, Bismarck;
Mark Wax, Housing Program Director, Bismarck; Rollin Bossart, Team leader, Minot; Mark Schaar, loan specialist, Minot

email us |Phone: 701-627-4781
Three Affiliated Tribes, 404 Frontage Road, New Town, North Dakota,58763
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