Small Town News

Turtle Mountain Housing Authority honored for work by state agency

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The Turtle Mountain Housing Authority was recently honored at the 19th Annual Statewide Housing Conference held by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) on February 23-24, 2010.

The Turtle Mountain Housing Authority was designated as a 2009 Champion of Affordable Housing -A Housing Production Award.

The honor was presented by the NDHFA In Recognition of Excellence and Outstanding Merit in Providing Affordable Housing Opportunities for North Dakotans.

The Turtle Mountain Housing Authority strives to help the under-served Native American population in North Dakota despite overwhelming obstacles.

There are hundreds of applicants in need of affordable housing and that number is expected to increase substantially in the next 10 years.

The housing authority works dili-gently to provide assistance and continues to work hard to alleviate homelessness and encourage economic development.

Since 2004, the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority has used the tax credit program to help more than 100 families. They have constructed one new development and rehabilitated three projects sorely in need of modernization, a total of more than $11.3 million in project costs.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority was Georgianna Bercier, Assistant Development Specialist.

Also nominated for a leadership award at the conference was Becky Leonard of St. John. She was one of live finalists for an honor recognizing a person who has demonstrated a history of outstanding efforts in advocating/or and promoting affordable - housing or housing related services.

Leonard has been the volunteer economic development director in St. John for 10 years.

Currently, there are seven thriving Main Street businesses and St. John was able to attract a credit union branch after 75 years with no banking available in the community.

These additions to the community have created a need for additional affordable housing.

Through renovating, moving and restoring historic homes for sale or rent, Leonard is increasing available housing and making economic strides in a community that is low in-. come.

Through these strides. St. John has seen an economic impact of nearly $288,000.



Copyright 2010 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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