releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=44467d91-d35d-415d-b105-2df697794057
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=44467d91-d35d-415d-b105-2df697794057 | Heitkamp Highlights Housing Crisis & Challenges during HUD Secretary's Visit to Western North Dakota | 2014-10-22 | 2014 | 2014-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WILLISTON, N.D. In the midst of rapid population growth and skyrocketing costs of living as a result of unprecedented energy development in the region, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today brought the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Julin Castro to Williston to see firsthand western North Dakotas incredible housing unit growth and to discuss efforts that can be made at the federal level to address drastically increasing rents, a lack of affordable housing, and issues surrounding homelessness in the region. During the visit, Castro and Heitkamp announced HUDs newly approved emergency waivers to provide public housing authorities with cost flexibility to more accurately reflect the needs of residents on the ground. Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs which oversees HUD, met with Castro in June to discuss the states housing needs and invited him to North Dakota. Today, Heitkamp and Castro toured the Williston area, examining housing conditions, the pace at which homes are currently being constructed, and the impacts of underdeveloped planning. Heitkamp noted that from 2010-2025, housing demand is expected to increase by 30 percent statewide and by up to 167 percent in parts of North Dakotas oil patch. North Dakotas population has quickly increased in communities across the state but this unprecedented growth has also created incredible financial strain for North Dakota families, particularly in the Bakken, said Heitkamp. With median rents in the oil patch increasing by 135 percent in just the past few years, its urgent that we address the challenges of the housing market. After I brought up North Dakotas housing issues in our meeting earlier this year, Secretary Castro made clear that he wanted to come to our state so he could hear from folks on the ground and see firsthand the challenges families and communities are facing every day and how HUD can take commonsense steps to provide some relief. Todays announcement to give public housing authorities more flexibility regarding Fair Market Rents is a step in the right direction and will help North Dakota families, but we need a more permanent solution moving forward. Our states population growth has generated great economic growth and success, but we cant let it happen at the expense of safe and affordable housing. I thank Secretary Castro for recognizing the importance of these pressing issues and I will continue to work closely with HUD to help make sure all of our states communities have the necessary infrastructure to meet the growing needs of North Dakotas families. Following their tour, Heitkamp led a roundtable discussion with Castro and local community leaders focusing on the steps HUD can take to help tackle western North Dakotas housing challenges. There, Castro and Heitkamp announced that HUD has approved emergency waivers for Fair Market Rents (FMRs) affordable housing rates for low-income households in nine western North Dakota counties, providing public housing authorities with more flexibility to meet the needs of local residents. Heitkamp specifically addressed regulation of small public housing authorities and the need for HUD to accurately determine income limits and FMRs in the state, which she is concerned do not reflect real housing costs in North Dakota. Williams County has seen a 135 percent increase in median rent for a two-bedroom apartment over the last six years. Heitkamp also drew attention to the areas homelessness challenges, as more than three-quarters of those without shelter live in North Dakotas oil patch. Earlier today, Heitkamp brought Castro to the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, where they viewed housing with overcrowding and safety issues in Belcourt and participated in a discussion about critical housing and infrastructure needs in Indian Country. Last month, Heitkamp pressed Castro about new FMRs proposed for North Dakota and how they do not accurately account for the states booming population. And last year, Heitkamp worked with HUD to see that FMRs were increased to appropriate levelsfor areas of North Dakota where rents have quickly soared and families need assistance to afford housing. As a result of her efforts, new FMRs were set for Ward, Mountrail, and Williams counties. Heitkamp has long been working to address North Dakotas housing crisis and make more affordable housing available to families. She has also worked to raise awareness about North Dakotas unique housing needs. In March 2013, Heitkamp held meetings across North Dakota with local, state, and federal officials to hear about their housing situations and discuss ideas to address the unique housing issues across the state. She also held housing summits in Mandan and Fargo last year to bring about a larger discussion about housing issues in the state. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |