Where subsidized housing programs operate in North Dakota

North Dakota has a smaller population than most states, which means fewer housing programs overall but also shorter waitlists in many places. The main subsidized housing options are Section 8 vouchers (called Housing Choice Vouchers), public housing managed by local housing authorities, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties. Unlike larger states, North Dakota does not have a single statewide waitlist — each housing authority and each property manages its own.

The state's largest housing authorities are in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot. If you live in a smaller city or rural area, you may be served by a regional authority or may need to look at properties that accept vouchers rather than waiting for public housing. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency oversees the state's housing programs but does not directly run the voucher program or public housing — those are run by local authorities in your city or county.

Rural areas of North Dakota have particular challenges: fewer rental properties overall, longer distances between towns, and some landlords who do not accept vouchers. If you live outside a city, your options may include vouchers (if your local authority has them), rural rental information programs, or moving to a town with more rental stock.

Key Takeaways

  • North Dakota has no statewide waitlist; you explore to the housing authority or property in your specific city or county.
  • Fargo and Bismarck have the most rental stock and the most subsidized housing options, while rural areas have fewer programs and fewer landlords who accept vouchers.
  • Section 8 vouchers in North Dakota typically require you to pay 30 percent of your income toward rent, with the program covering the rest up to a set limit.
  • Public housing and voucher programs in smaller cities often have shorter waitlists than in larger states, but some rural areas have no program at all.
  • The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency website lists all local housing authorities and their contact information, which is your first step to finding what is available where you live.

Section 8 vouchers and how they work in North Dakota

A Section 8 voucher in North Dakota works the same way it does everywhere: you find a rental property, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the program pays the landlord the difference between your income-based rent and the market rent (up to a limit called the payment standard). You pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest if the rent is within the payment standard.

Payment standards vary by county in North Dakota. A one-bedroom voucher in Fargo is worth more per month than a one-bedroom voucher in a rural county, because Fargo rents are higher. The Housing Finance Agency publishes these payment standards by county. If you find an apartment that rents for more than the payment standard, you can pay the difference out of pocket, but the program will not cover it.

Waitlists for Section 8 in North Dakota are generally shorter than in other states — some authorities have waitlists of a few months to a year, while others have no waitlist at all. However, not every city has a Section 8 program. If your local housing authority does not run vouchers, you may need to contact the next nearest authority or look at public housing instead.

Public housing in North Dakota cities

Public housing in North Dakota is owned and managed by local housing authorities. These are apartment buildings or scattered single-family homes that the authority owns outright. Rent is set at 30 percent of your income, the same as Section 8, but you do not choose the property — the authority assigns you to available units.

Public housing waitlists vary widely. Some smaller North Dakota cities have no waitlist because there are more units than applicants. Larger cities like Fargo and Bismarck have longer waitlists, sometimes a year or more. Public housing is often older than market-rate apartments, but it is maintained to housing code standards and rent is always income-based, so your payment does not rise if the market rent rises.

To explore for public housing, contact your local housing authority directly. They will give you an process, verify your income, and place you on the waitlist. Unlike Section 8, you do not need to find your own apartment — the authority will call you when a unit becomes available.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties and other options

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties are apartment buildings built with federal tax credits that require them to rent to low-income tenants at below-market rates. These are not the same as Section 8 or public housing — they are private properties that happen to have income restrictions. Rent is usually lower than market rate but higher than 30 percent of income, so you pay more than you would on a voucher or in public housing.

LIHTC properties are scattered across North Dakota in both cities and smaller towns. Some accept Section 8 vouchers, which means you can use a voucher to live there and pay only 30 percent of your income. Others do not accept vouchers and require you to pay the full rent they set (which is still below market). The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency maintains a list of LIHTC properties by county on its website.

Rural rental information programs exist in some parts of North Dakota through USDA Rural Development, though these are typically for homeownership rather than rental information. If you live in a rural area and cannot find a Section 8 program or public housing, contact your county social services office to ask what rental programs serve your area.

Income limits and rent calculations

Income limits for subsidized housing in North Dakota are set at a percentage of the area median income (AMI) for each county. Section 8 and public housing typically serve households at or below 50 percent of AMI, though some programs reserve units for households at 30 percent of AMI or lower. These limits change each year and vary by county.

For example, the income limit for a family of four in Fargo is higher than the limit for a family of four in a rural county, because Fargo's median income is higher. When you explore, the housing authority will verify your income against the current year's limit for your county. If your income is above the limit, you will not be able to participate in that program.

Rent is always calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income in Section 8 and public housing. If your income is $1,500 per month, you pay $450 per month. If your income rises, your rent rises. If your income falls, your rent falls. The program recalculates your rent annually or when your income changes significantly.

How to find and contact housing authorities in your area

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency website lists every housing authority in the state with contact information and the programs each one runs. Start there to find the authority that serves your city or county. If you live in a city, there is usually a housing authority in that city. If you live in a rural area, you may be served by a county-level authority or a regional authority that covers multiple counties.

Call or visit the housing authority's office to ask what programs they run, whether they have a waitlist, and how the process works. Some authorities accept applications online, others by mail or in person. Ask how long the waitlist is and whether they are currently accepting new applications — some close their waitlists when they are full and reopen them later.

If your local authority does not run the program you want (for example, if they have public housing but no Section 8), ask them which authority in your region does run it. They can usually point you to the next nearest option.

Waitlists, process timing, and what to expect

Waitlists in North Dakota are generally shorter than in other states, but timing varies. Some authorities have no waitlist at all, some have a few months, and some have a year or longer. The only way to know is to contact the authority directly — waitlist length is not published online and changes frequently.

When you explore, bring proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of residency if required. The authority will verify your income against the current year's limit and check your background. The process usually takes two to four weeks from process to approval, though it can be faster if the authority is not busy.

Once you are approved and on the waitlist, you will wait for a unit to become available. For Section 8, this means waiting for your name to come up and then you have a set amount of time (usually 60 days) to find an apartment. For public housing, you wait for the authority to call you about a specific unit. During this time, your circumstances may change — if your income rises above the limit or you move out of state, tell the authority when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Dakota have a statewide Section 8 waitlist?

No. Each housing authority in North Dakota manages its own waitlist. You explore to the authority in your city or county, not to a central state office. If your local authority does not run Section 8, contact the nearest authority that does.

What if I live in a rural area with no housing authority nearby?

Rural areas of North Dakota may be served by a county-level or regional housing authority. Contact your county social services office or the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency to find out which authority serves your area. If no subsidized housing program is available, ask about emergency rental information or other local programs.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher to live in any apartment in North Dakota?

No. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the rent must be within the payment standard for your county. Many landlords in North Dakota accept vouchers, but not all. When you receive a voucher, the housing authority will give you a list of properties that have agreed to participate.

How much will I pay for rent on Section 8 or public housing?

You will pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If you earn $1,500 per month, you pay $450. The program pays the landlord the rest (up to the payment standard for Section 8). Your rent changes if your income changes.

How long does it take to get approved for subsidized housing in North Dakota?

The process process usually takes two to four weeks. After approval, you may wait on a waitlist for weeks, months, or longer depending on how many units are available. Contact your local authority to ask how long the current waitlist is.