releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6b04fde3-0c0a-4518-9e39-7a7d4dc2ce01
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6b04fde3-0c0a-4518-9e39-7a7d4dc2ce01 | Heitkamp Hosts Housing Summit with Bismarck & Mandan Community Leaders | 2013-08-15 | 2013 | 2013-08 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | MANDAN, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today hosted a housing summit with Bismarck and Mandan community leaders to talk about the housing issues in North Dakota and seek solutions to address it. Heitkamp also discussed bipartisan legislation she helped introduce in the Senate to help reform the nation’s housing finance system, which would support affordable homeownership in North Dakota while protecting American taxpayers. The housing summit follows a series of discussions Heitkamp held throughout North Dakota in March to address the state’s housing crisis -- one of her top priorities. As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Development, Heitkamp is in a unique position to fight for more quality, affordable housing options. “The lack of reasonably priced housing in North Dakota is forcing too many families to pay more than they can afford to keep a roof over their heads or face going without. This isn’t a choice anyone should have to make,” said Heitkamp. “Today’s housing summit brought together area leaders to talk about how we can tackle this challenge. Just as I did after I held housing discussions across the state in March, I will take today’s ideas back to Washington and continue to fight for a solution. “I’m also pushing to move forward comprehensive housing finance reform legislation that I helped write. A strong housing finance system nationally is crucial for helping North Dakota weather the housing crisis it faces. And it’s long past time that we build a housing finance system that works for everyone – including those in rural communities – and that’s what this bipartisan bill would do.” The housing summit brought together representatives from local housing authorities, North Dakota banks, city offices, real estate agencies, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, among others. They joined for a variety of panel discussions, including overviews of the housing issues North Dakota faces; issue updates on affordability, infrastructure, and financing; and a comprehensive look at what actions need to be taken moving forward. Heitkamp will host another housing summit in Fargo on August 16. North Dakota faces a housing crisis because of the state’s economic boom. It’s estimated that by 2025, North Dakota will need 30 percent more housing units. Background: Heitkamp’s Efforts to Improve North Dakota’s Housing Reforming the Country’s Housing Finance System. In June, Heitkamp helped introduce strong, comprehensive legislation to reform America’s broken housing finance system. With a bipartisan group of Senators, Heitkamp crafted a bill to protect taxpayers from future economic downturns while responsibly preserving the availability of the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for homebuyers. She specifically drafted provisions in the bill to make sure rural communities, like many in North Dakota, receive the resources they deserve, and guarantee that community banks and credit unions have access to the secondary housing market so they can compete and provide long-term mortgages to homebuyers. Fighting for More Affordable, Quality Housing Throughout North Dakota. Heitkamp worked with HUD to see that new Fair Market Rents – to help reduce housing costs for low-income households – were increased to appropriate levels for oil-impacted areas of North Dakota where rents have quickly soared and families need assistance to afford housing. Heitkamp is continuing to have HUD look into this issue so that more North Dakota families could benefit from increased assistance in high-cost areas. Raising Awareness About North Dakota’s Unique Housing Needs. In March, Heitkamp held meetings in Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Valley City, Dickinson, and Fargo with state, local, and federal officials to hear about their housing situations and discuss ideas to address the unique housing issues across the state. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |