Find answers to frequently asked questions about the NDRH Housing Stabilization program.
Try to enter your name as “firstname.lastname” when you log into the portal. If this does not work, do not create another account. Please contact the contact center for additional assistance dhserb@nd.gov or 701-328-1907.
Step-by-step instructions for the application process for the household applying can be found here. Instructions for housing providers can also be found on our website here.
AMI is Area Median Income. The midpoint of the region’s income distribution, meaning that half of the households in a region earn more than the median and half earn less than the median. AMI is published for each county in the United States by U.S. Housing and Urban Development and is the basis for the NDRH Housing Stability income thresholds. An applicant’s AMI must be at or below 30% to qualify for assistance.
See where your income falls on this Income Limit AMI Chart.
NDRH Housing Stabilization remains a neutral party among North Dakota’s Housing Providers. Searching newspapers, Facebook marketplace, ads, online resources, and asking friends and family about any known rentals properties is a good starting place.
NDRH Housing Stabilization seeks to prioritize the understanding of the application process and renter/housing provider relationships. Applicants will be required to meet with a coach to review a Letter of Commitment and Pre-Lease Training prior to having their Letter of Commitment issued.
NDRH Housing Stabilization is only able to pay the security deposit after an applicant with a Letter of Commitment has submitted their housed application. The security deposit will be paid upon approval of the housed application as long as the ledger shows the security deposit as outstanding. NDRH cannot reimburse applicants for previously paid balances. Contact the contact center if you have questions at dhserb@nd.gov or 701-328-1907.
NDRH Housing Stabilization cannot reimburse renters for any costs they covered on their own.
Applicants who have received a Letter of Commitment under NDRH Housing Stabilization can log into their portal and download a copy of their Letter of Commitment. If you are working with a housing facilitator, you may contact them to receive a copy of your Letter of Commitment.
Letters of Commitment expire 90 days after the date that they are issued. The issue date should reflect the date that your housing stabilization application was approved.
You will need to reapply to our program and have your application reviewed for eligibility.
If you have a past rental debt that is preventing you from finding stable housing, you may submit a request for a barrier to housing payment to cover this debt. Barrier to housing payments can be paid up to $5000. If the past debt is greater than $5000, the debt will not be eligible for assistance.
Applicants are only able to utilize their Letter of Commitment for one residence. Since NDRH Housing Stabilization only provides short term assistance, having applicants stay at the residence they were approved for ensures housing stability.
In rare extenuating circumstances, applicant moves will be allowed if the stability or living conditions of the household are compromised. Please contact the contact center prior to moving at dhserb@nd.gov or 701-328-1907 to see if your move can be pre-authorized.
If you cannot remember your Supplier ID or Company ID, please contact dhserb@nd.gov or 701-328-1907.
Payment times vary depending on how the housing provider has registered to receive payment. Direct deposit payments will typically show up in the selected account within 5 days of payment being sent. Check payments usually take around 14-21 days to be received by mail.
If you are a housing provider and have not received your payment within the timeframe specified by your preferred payment method, please contact the call center at 701-328-1907 or dhserb@nd.gov.
If you are a renter and your housing provider has not yet posted payment to your ledger within a two-week time frame of it being sent, please contact your housing provider first to confirm if they are missing the payment and then contact us at 701-328-1907 or dhserb@nd.gov.
Applicants that have utilized a Letter of Commitment that was issued prior to May 1st to obtain housing may qualify for up to 12 months of assistance with continued eligibility and completed recertifications.
Applicants that have utilized a Letter of Commitment that was issued on or after May 1st to obtain housing will qualify for 3 months of assistance and security deposit.
If you qualify to receive additional assistance, you will receive an email to recertify from IT Service Desk.
NDRH Housing Stabilization does not provide utility assistance. If you have a past utility debt that is preventing you from finding stable housing, you may submit a request for a barrier to housing payment to cover this debt. Barrier to housing payments can be paid up to $5000. If the past debt is greater than $5000, the debt will not be eligible for assistance.
You can seek assistance for home energy costs from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Visit the Apply for Help page for other financial help programs.