Tuesday, November 14, 2023 - 02:15pm

The North Dakota Department of Commerce is excited to announce a new grant opportunity for rural communities and organizations that want to increase the availability and affordability of housing for their workforce. The Rural Workforce Housing Grant portal will open on November 20, 2023, and will accept applications until January 8, 2024. 

The grant program is part of Commerce’s mission to attract, retain, and expand wealth while enhancing the quality of life for the people of North Dakota. It aims to address the housing challenges faced by many rural areas, such as limited supply, high costs, and low quality. 

The Rural Workforce Housing Grant is open to the following entities in North Dakota: 

  • City  
  • County  
  • Economic Development organizations (JDA, regional Councils, EDC, CVB)  
  • Local tribal entities

Applicants can apply for grants of up to $300,000 per community. The grant program defines “rural” as any community or region, based on the application, with a population of less than 10,000. 

Unlike other grant programs, the Rural Workforce Housing Grant does not require matching funds from the applicants, making it more accessible and flexible for rural entities. However, matching funds are encouraged and may increase the chances of receiving the grant.


"This grant program is a vital step in our efforts to improve the living conditions of our rural workforce and foster economic development in North Dakota," says Emma Cook, Community Development Liaison for Commerce.  

Learn more at nd.gov/HousingGrant.