ND Homeless Services Get $5M Boost, But Advocates Say Demand Still Outpaces Resources

North Dakota nonprofits serving the homeless received an unprecedented five million dollars in recent state and federal grants, nearly triple last year’s funding. Community Action Partnership received the largest award at $2 million to serve all 53 counties, while 17 other organizations got funding for emergency shelters, transitional housing, and rent assistance.

However, advocates say demand still far exceeds resources, with applicants requesting nearly $10 million total, according to Mary Steurer’s article from the North Dakota Monitor. State data shows homelessness increased to 3,824 people receiving services in 2024. While the Legislature quadrupled the state homeless grant to nearly $10 million for this biennium, other proposals including affordable housing funding were rejected, and federal support may decrease under current federal policies, suggesting structural issues on a state and federal level.