Application Checklists
What do I need to apply if I am experiencing homelessness?
- Government-issued photo ID (if available)
- Social Security Number for all household members over 18
- If employed, proof of current income (if available), such as:
- Most recent tax returns
- Most recent 1099
- Two most recent paystubs
- If applicable, copies of any past-due amount to a previous housing provider or utility company that is causing a barrier to housing
An applicant will meet with a Housing Stability Coach to learn how to use their LOC and what to look for in a lease. Coaches will teach renters ways to have a successful renter/housing provider relationship. Along with these trainings, coaches will be helping our applicants find other potential assistance in the state of North Dakota.
Training Materials:
The following are requirements to submit a Housed Application for the ND Housing Stabilization Program:
- Housing Stabilization application is approved
- If you have a housing stability coach and have completed Letter of Commitment and Pre-Lease Training or have met with your assigned community partner Housing Facilitator
- A Letter of Commitment (LOC) has been issued by the program
- The Applicant has found an apartment/home, and the lease agreement meets the requirements outlined in the Letter of Commitment
- The monthly rent amount falls within the limits of the approved Letter of Commitment
- The Applicant has the Housing Provider’s Information
What do I need to apply for NDRH if I am a housing provider?
- Government-issued photo ID (if registering as an individual, not a company)
- Proof of property ownership
- Supplier ID and Company ID from ND OMB vendor registration
- Lease agreement
- Information about past-due rent and other changes
- Information about rental assistance renter is receiving from a different program (if applicable)
Housing Providers: User Guides and How-to Videos
Step 1: Supplier Registration (can be skipped if you already have a supplier ID)
Step 2: Accessing the Portal
Step 3: Validate Letter of Commitment
Step 4: Housing Provider Profile (optional)
Step 5: Payment Request
- Receive Inquiry
Prospective renter and housing provider discuss placement. - Create a ND Housing Stability Housing Providers Portal Account
Visit https://ndhousingstability.servicenowservices. com/nd_housing_stability. - Letter of Commitment Verification
Verify the authenticity of the LOC by entering the LOC number within the portal once the LOC has been received from the renter/housing provider. - Letter of Commitment Acceptance
Complete (with signature) the LOC and return to the renter/housing facilitator. Secure a copy for yourself. - Establish a Supplier ID
An online application with a Supplier ID is required. ND OMB issues the Supplier ID. https://ndhousingstability.servicenowservices.com/nd_housing_stability - Submit a Payment Request within the Housing Stability Portal
Submit one payment request per renter. Documents are required to be attached digitally (proof of ownership, identification, signed LOC, signed lease, and updated ledger). - Review Application Status
Keep up-to-date with your application status through the housing provider portal.
What is the Service Provider Relations Department?
A dedicated team established to provide support and guidance to housing providers in matters pertaining to the program.
What is a letter of commitment?
The issuance of a letter of commitment (LOC) signifies the renter’s initial application meets the eligibility requirements and the readiness to identify a housing provider.
What is Required by a Housing Provider?
The completion on the tasks highlighted on the Housing Provider Checklist are essential for proper application processing. Documents such as proof of ownership, signed LOC, signed lease, and updated ledger are required to verify housing provider authenticity.
How Long Does Assistance Last?
Renters may be eligible for up to six months of assistance pending application approval. HHS is committed to empowering renters with comprehensive insights into their lease, and LOC, alongside facilitating access to supplementary resources within the state’s program landscape.
Already a Vendor?
A payment request (one per renter) within the online portal is required to facilitate payment. A vendor account/Supplier ID is required to complete the payment request.
What is my Company ID and/or Supplier ID?
A company ID is a four to six digit pin that a vendor (Housing Provider) creates themselves when applying for their Supplier ID. The Supplier ID is ten digits issued by the OMB upon vendor approval.
Associated Websites
Housing Stability Portal Account Registration
https://ndhousingstability.servicenowservices.com/nd_rent_help?id=renta…
Housing Stability Portal Account Login
https://ndhousingstability.servicenowservices.com/nd_rent_help?id=csm_l…
Supplier ID Registration
https://ndhousingstability.servicenowservices.com/nd_omb
Households Experiencing Homelessness: User Guides
Before you submit your application with NDRH Housing Stability, you must create a login so that you may visit your portal for updates throughout the application process.”
In order to submit a housing stability application, you must meet the criteria of a household experiencing homelessness or a household at imminent risk of homelessness.
The following are Eligibility requirements to submit a Housed Application for the ND Housing Stabilization Program:
- Housing Stability application is approved
- The Applicant has met with the Housing Stability coach or has a Housing Facilitator and has completed Letter of Commitment (LOC) and New Renter Training and Household Coaching
- The Housing Stability Coach acknowledges completion of appointment with the applicant
- The Applicant acknowledges completion of appointment with the Housing Stability coach
- A Letter of Commitment (LOC) has been issued by the program
- The Applicant has found an apartment/home, and the lease agreement meets the requirements outlined in the LOC
- The monthly rent amount falls within the limits of the approved LOC
- The Applicant has the Housing Provider’s Information
Income Limit Charts
Additional Publications
Draft
- The application is initially set to the Draft stage when an application is started
- The application is still being completed and the applicant needs to finish completing the application in order to begin the process
In Review
Application Review
- The application is ready to be reviewed by the Tier I Case Reviewers
- Once a Tier I Case Reviewer has reviewed the application, they will either approve or reject the application
Final Review
- The application is ready to be reviewed by the Tier II Case Reviewers
- Once a Tier II Case Reviewer has reviewed the application, they will either approve or reject the application
- If Approved, it will move to Paid
- If more information is needed, it will move to Re-review window
- You will receive an email from IT Service Desk listing the missing information
needed and instructions for uploading the information. Documentation must
be uploaded through the portal, please do not send any missing re-review
documentation to us via email.
- You will receive an email from IT Service Desk listing the missing information
- If denied, the application status will show as Rejected
Determination
Payment Approved
- The application was approved
Rejected
- The application was denied or canceled
Re-Review In Progress
- A case supervisor will need to review the additional information provided and decide to accept the re-review or reject the re-review
- Accepting the re-review will resend application to Tier II Case Review
- Rejecting the re-review will move application to Rejected/Canceled
Draft
- The application is initially set to the Draft stage when an application is started
- The application is still being completed and the applicant needs to finish completing the application in order to begin the process
Pending
Housing Provider
- The application has been submitted and has not been matched to a Housing Provider yet
- The application is not ready to be reviewed
Housing Renter
- The application has been submitted and has not been matched to a Renter yet
- The application is not ready to be reviewed
In Review
Application Review
- The application has been matched to a Housing Provider or has no Landlord (this would happen if the renter’s housing provider never created an application)
- The application is ready to be reviewed by the Tier I Case Reviewers
- Once a Tier I Case Reviewer has reviewed the application, they will either approve or reject the application
Final Review
- The application is ready to be reviewed by the Tier II Case Reviewers
- Once a Tier II Case Reviewer has reviewed the application, they will either approve or reject the application
- If Approved, it will move to Paid
- If Rejected, it will move to Re-review window
Determination
Payment Approved
- The application was approved
Rejected
- The application was denied or canceled
Re-review in Progress
- A case supervisor will need to review the additional information provided and decide to accept the re-review or reject the re-review
- Accepting the re-review will resend application to Tier II Case Review
- Rejecting the re-review will move application to Rejected/Canceled
AMI (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 Stabilization income thresholds. An applicant’s AMI must be at or below 30% to qualify for assistance.
Customer Service Center
Refers to a customer service function that handles inbound and outbound customer communication over multiple channels to help resolve customer issues quickly, to track customer engagements, and to capture interaction and performance data.
Eviction
The court-ordered removal of a tenant from the property where they reside.
Holding Fee
Is charged to tenants to reserve a specific rental unit until move in.
Homelessness
An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence. This includes a living situation where you are temporarily doubled up with another household.
Households at imminent risk of homelessness
Defined as an individual or family with an eviction hearing scheduled within the next 30 days. This does not include households with an initial 3-day eviction notice or lease termination notice.
Housing Choice Voucher
Formerly known as “Section 8.” Federal program that offers assistance to help income-eligible households pay for housing costs. Because it is another housing assistance program, ND Housing Stability will have to verify that the assistance is not duplicative.
Housing provider
An individual or entity that owns, rents, or manages housing for others. They can be for-profit or non-profit organizations, and they can range in size from small mom-and-pop landlords to large real estate corporations.
- Property owners
These are individuals or businesses that own rental properties. They may own single-family homes, apartments, or condominiums. - Property managers
These are companies that manage rental properties on behalf of property owners. They handle tasks such as leasing units, collecting rent, and maintaining the property. - Government agencies
These agencies may own or manage housing for low-income or homeless individuals. - Non-profit organizations
These organizations may provide housing for people with disabilities, veterans, or other special needs populations.
Housing Provider Account
A unique account in the NDRH Housing Stabilization system that allows a housing provider to provide information on their company. The housing provider account ties the NDRH Housing Stabilization system to the housing provider’s vendor ID (OMB supplier ID and Company ID) to facilitate payment.
Housing Provider Payment Request
A submission by the housing provider through the ND Housing Stability portal to request direct payment for their renter.
Housing Provider Profile
Property specific information saved in the NDRH Housing Stabilization system. Having a property profile means a housing provider only has to enter information about a property one time.
Housing Stabilization
Defined as assistance that supports households in identifying a new housing arrangement and other economic and community resources that will lead to housing stability.
Landlord Risk Mitigation Payment
A payment made to alleviate housing providers of costs of damages left by renters who obtained housing with a Letter of Commitment. Additionally, the housing provider must have completed a payment request prior to the approval of their renter’s application and followed the terms outlined in the Letter of Commitment. Payment will only be made if documentation is provided and if the renter vacates or is evicted while receiving monthly assistance from NDRH Housing Stabilization.
Ledger
Breakdown of payments made and owed to your housing provider.
Letter of Commitment
A document issued to someone who is experiencing homelessness, and who has been deemed eligible to participate in NDRH Housing Stabilization, that authorizes funding for 3 months of rent payments, security deposit, and application fees upon presentation of a valid rental agreement. Letters of Commitment are intended to help someone secure stable housing.
Move in Inspection
Inspection is a process of documenting the condition of a rental property before a tenant moves in. This is done to protect both the tenant and the landlord. The tenant can use the inspection report to document any existing damage to the property, and the landlord can use the inspection report to track any damage that occurs during the tenancy.
Notice of intent (3 day, notice to vacate, notice to quit)
Legal notice from the housing provider/managers of their intention to have you voluntarily vacate the property for lease violations. If the tenant does not vacate the property by the date specified in the notice to vacate, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit.
NDRH Housing Stabilization Program
The North Dakota housing assistance program that seeks to increase housing stability for those experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. NDRH Housing Stabilization replaces the ND Rent Help Program.
Past due rent
Rent not paid by the assigned date.
Payee
Person or entity to whom money is owed. For NDRH Housing Stabilization, these typically include the housing providers and occasionally renters.
Portal
NDRH site where you log in and submit payment requests for each renter.
OMB
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is the state agency that manages the Vendor Registry, which is where housing and utility providers can obtain a supplier ID and company ID to facilitate receiving payments from ND Rent Help.
Ownership Documents
Evidence of property ownership. Can include a tax statement, deed, or other form of documentation that allows NDRH to validate property ownership.
Renewal of lease
Is when the tenant and landlord agree to another lease term, which may require creating a new lease with updated clauses and a higher rent price in most cases.
Rent-to-own agreements
A legal agreement that gives the individual either the option or obligation to purchase a property at a specified point in time.
Rental History Repair
A form of Housing Stability support defined in ND Housing Stabilization as assistance that satisfies debt to previous housing providers or utility accounts, that if unresolved, would preclude a household from obtaining stable housing.
Renter
A person who occupies land or property rented from a Housing Provider.
Rental obligation
The obligation a renter has to pay a housing provider for the right to use a leased property as their residence. Could include rent, utilities, or other fees as outlined in a rental agreement.
Security Deposit
An amount of money that a renter pays when beginning to rent property (such as an apartment) and that can be used to pay for any damage that the renter causes to the property.
Sole Proprietor
Unincorporated business with only one owner who pays personal income tax on profits earned. A sole proprietor will register as an “Individual” rather than a “Company” in the NDRH Housing Provider portal.
Subletting
Is when a tenant rents out their apartment to another person while they are still living there. This can be a good option for tenants who need to temporarily move out of their apartment, or for tenants who want to make some extra money.
U.S. Department of Treasury
The federal agency recognized as the grantor of the ERAP program and the provider of the governing program guidelines under which NDRH Housing Stabilization is implemented.
AMI (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 Stabilization income thresholds. An applicant’s AMI must be at or below 30% to qualify for assistance.
Attestation
The act of showing, proving, or stating something is true or real.
Bookings
A program where you can book an appointment with your coach.
Coach/Housing Engagement Specialist
They will be helping you through the process of achieving your goal of finding housing and other potential assistance.
Credit History
Is the ongoing documentation of your financial information, including repayment of your debts.
Customer Service Center
Refers to a customer service function that handles inbound and outbound customer communication over multiple channels to help resolve customer issues quickly, to track customer engagements, and to capture interaction and performance data.
Extension
Is an application off your original application to extend your possible benefits.
Eviction
Is the court-ordered removal of a tenant from the property where they reside.
Financial Hardship
A material reduction in income or material increase in living expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic that has created or increased a risk of rent delinquency, default, or displacement for a renter.
Gross income
Total income before taxes received within a specified period of time. NDRH Housing Stabilization requires that the combined gross income for all members of a household age 18 or older needs to be at or less than 30% of AMI.
Holding Fee
Is charged to tenants to reserve a specific rental unit until move in.
Homelessness
An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence. This includes a living situation where you are temporarily doubled up with another household.
Household or Household Members
All occupants living together in a residential dwelling, including adults and minors.
Households at imminent risk of homelessness
Defined as an individual or family with an eviction hearing scheduled within the next 30 days. This does not include households with an initial 3-day eviction notice or lease termination notice.
Housing Choice Voucher
Formerly known as “Section 8.” Federal program that offers assistance to help income-eligible households pay for housing costs. Because it is another housing assistance program, ND Housing Stability will have to verify that the assistance is not duplicative.
Housing Facilitator
Individuals who are able to assist applicants with finding stable housing within their Letter of Commitment rent limits, gather documentation, and submit applications through the NDRH Housing Stabilization Portal.
Housing provider
Is an individual or entity that owns, rents, or manages housing for others. They can be for-profit or non-profit organizations, and they can range in size from small mom-and-pop landlords to large real estate corporations.
- Property owners
These are individuals or businesses that own rental properties. They may own single-family homes, apartments, or condominiums. - Property managers
These are companies that manage rental properties on behalf of property owners. They handle tasks such as leasing units, collecting rent, and maintaining the property. - Government agencies
These agencies may own or manage housing for low-income or homeless individuals. - Non-profit organizations
These organizations may provide housing for people with disabilities, veterans, or other special needs populations.
Housing Stabilization
Defined as assistance that supports households in identifying a new housing arrangement and other economic and community resources that will lead to housing stability.
Income documentation
Evidence, typically provided by a third party, that verifies a person’s earnings. Examples include W2s, income tax returns, pay stubs, letters of benefit.
Ledger
Breakdown of payments made and owed to your housing provider.
Letter of Commitment
A document issued to someone who is experiencing homelessness, and who has been deemed eligible to participate in NDRH Housing Stabilization, that authorizes funding for 3 months of rent payments, security deposit, and application fees upon presentation of a valid rental agreement. Letters of Commitment are intended to help someone secure stable housing.
Move in Inspection
Inspection is a process of documenting the condition of a rental property before a tenant moves in. This is done to protect both the tenant and the landlord. The tenant can use the inspection report to document any existing damage to the property, and the landlord can use the inspection report to track any damage that occurs during the tenancy.
Notice of intent (3 day, notice to vacate, notice to quit):
Is a legal notice from the housing provider/managers of their intention to have you voluntarily vacate the property for lease violations. If the tenant does not vacate the property by the date specified in the notice to vacate, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit.
NDRH Housing Stabilization Program
The North Dakota housing assistance program that seeks to increase housing stability for those experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. NDRH Housing Stabilization replaces the ND Rent Help Program.
Past due rent
Rent not paid by the assigned date.
Payee
Person or entity to whom money is owed. For NDRH Housing Stabilization, these typically include the housing providers and occasionally renters.
Persistent Poverty County
County that has reported a poverty rate of 20% or greater for at least 30 consecutive years. In North Dakota both Benson and Sioux counties are designated as “persistent poverty” counties. Any renter who lives in a designated persistent poverty county is automatically deemed income eligible for NDRH Housing Stabilization.
Portal
NDRH site where you log in and will find your application, file extensions, answer re-reviews, and additional details/information regarding your application.
Proof of Homelessness
Documentation that can help validate that a person does not have housing. Can include confirmation from a case worker at an emergency shelter, transitional housing program, hospital or institution; an eviction notice effective within the last 7 days; or evidence of living status as captured in the state Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Recertify
If eligible, you will be sent an email to recertify your application for additional months of assistance. This is a time to let us know of any updates or changes to your household. This will create an extension.
Renewal of lease
Is when the tenant and landlord agree to another lease term, which may require creating a new lease with updated clauses and a higher rent price in most cases.
Rent-to-own agreements
A legal agreement that gives the individual either the option or obligation to purchase a property at a specified point in time.
Rental History Repair
A form of Housing Stability support defined in ND Rent Help as assistance that satisfies debt to previous housing providers or utility accounts, that if unresolved, would preclude a household from obtaining stable housing.
Renter
A person who occupies land or property rented from a Housing Provider.
Rental obligation
The obligation a renter has to pay a housing provider for the right to use a leased property as their residence. Could include rent, utilities, or other fees as outlined in a rental agreement.
Re-review
During the review of an application, the reviewer may ask for more information or details. An email from the IT Service Desk will be sent with a list of what is needed and how to upload it through your portal. This must be done within 10 days of receiving the email or the application will close.
Subletting
Is when a tenant rents out their apartment to another person while they are still living there. This can be a good option for tenants who need to temporarily move out of their apartment, or for tenants who want to make some extra money.
U.S. Department of Treasury
The federal agency recognized as the grantor of the ERAP program and the provider of the governing program guidelines under which NDRH Housing Stabilization is implemented.
See the impact ND Rent Help has on North Dakota individuals and families in the Data Dashboard.