Burgum, Advisory Committee unveil recommendations to address housing needs in North Dakota
Gov. Doug Burgum, state legislators and other members of the North Dakota Housing Initiative Advisory Committee on Tuesday released the committee’s recommendations for addressing housing needs in North Dakota, with a three-pronged approach that focuses on improving housing availability, affordability and stability.
Burgum appointed the committee to lead the development of a comprehensive housing strategy for North Dakota. He hosted listening sessions in Bismarck, Fargo, Harvey, Williston and at the Government to Government Conference with tribal nations in June to gather input from stakeholders to help inform the committee’s work.
“Every North Dakotan should have access to safe, affordable, quality housing. And if we want to continue to attract and retain workers and grow our economy, we need to reduce barriers to workforce participation such as housing,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful for the insightful work of the Housing Initiative Advisory Committee and the valuable input from stakeholders that helped guide these recommendations for improving housing availability, affordability and stability across our great state.”
The committee is recommending state investment into six categories that together will address housing needs and challenges:
- Red Tape Reduction: support local housing efforts by providing flexible grants to local governments for improvements such as updates to local zoning codes, streamlining review and approvals of building permits, and updating comprehensive housing plans. This could include reforming building codes to improve affordability while still maintaining health and safety, and streamlining the rules and regulations that may limit communities from adopting manufactured or modular housing as a key element of their housing inventory.
- Vibrant Local Housing Markets: provide grants for those willing to explore innovative methods of building residential housing, as well as a Neighborhood Builder Grant for small-scale urban housing projects and a Community Builder Grant for small-scale rural housing projects.
- Financing Innovations: offer gap financing for both single- and multi-family housing construction (rural and urban) by leveraging the ND Housing Incentive Fund, as well as targeted grants for those producing – or preserving – entry-level housing and low-interest construction loans for builders producing housing that meets high-priority goals related to entry-level homes, aging-in-place friendly designs, and leveraging existing infrastructure.
- Homelessness Services: provide emergency shelter operating funds and rapid re-housing assistance to supplement existing programs.
- Financial Coaching: provide eviction prevention to benefit renters and housing providers; housing assistance to people at highest risk of housing instability; specialized financial literacy coaching for people receiving housing assistance; and incentives for home renovations to address things like accessibility and basic rehab needs for lower-income homeowners, to help prevent loss of housing.
- Construction Workforce: provide grants to local schools investing in the equipment and resources needed to grow the workforce pipeline for the housing construction trades, as well as invest in tech and training needed to deploy 3D-printed materials and design innovations for residential construction sites.
The recommendations will be submitted to the 69th Legislative Assembly as part of the governor’s executive budget proposal in December.
“These recommendations will provide a solid foundation for the Legislature as we draft legislation to tackle our housing challenges,” said state Rep. Mike Beltz of Hillsboro, a member of the Housing Initiative Advisory Committee.
For more information about the North Dakota Housing Initiative, visit the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services' website.
President-elect Trump nominates Burgum to serve as Interior Secretary, chair new National Energy Council
As chairman, Burgum will also have seat on National Security Council
President-elect Donald Trump officially announced on Friday that he has nominated North Dakota Gov. Burgum to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior and chairman of the newly formed National Energy Council.
As Interior Secretary, Burgum will lead the U.S. Department of the Interior, a Cabinet-level agency that manages the nation’s natural and cultural resources. The department employs approximately 70,000 employees in 11 technical bureaus: the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement, and the federal bureaus of Indian Affairs, Indian Education, Land Management, Ocean Energy Management, Reclamation, Safety & Environmental Enforcement, and Trust Funds Administration. The department provides access to more than 500 million acres of public lands, 700 million acres of subsurface minerals, and 1.7 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf.
“Being selected to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior is an incredible honor and an enormous responsibility, and I’m deeply grateful to President Trump for this opportunity to serve the American people in such a broad capacity,” Burgum said. “Serving as Interior Secretary is an opportunity to redefine and improve upon the federal government’s relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, outdoor enthusiasts and others, with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.”
The new National Energy Council will consist of all departments and agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation and transportation of all forms of American energy. As chairman, Burgum will also have a seat on the National Security Council.
“The National Energy Council will foster an unprecedented level of coordination among federal agencies to advance American energy. By establishing U.S. energy dominance, we can jumpstart our economy, drive down costs for consumers and generate billions in revenue to help reduce our deficit,” Burgum said. “Focusing on innovation over regulation to solve the nation’s challenges will allow us to smartly expand American energy and make our world cleaner and safer by selling energy to our friends and allies versus them having to buy it from our adversaries.”
If confirmed, Burgum will be the first native North Dakotan to lead a U.S. Cabinet agency since former Gov. Ed Schafer led the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008-2009 under President George W. Bush. Two other North Dakotans have served in a president’s Cabinet: President Gerald Ford appointed former Bismarck mayor and Kintyre, N.D., native Tom Kleppe as Interior Secretary in 1975, and President Bill Clinton appointed Scranton, N.D., native Warren Christopher as Secretary of State in 1993.
Burgum honors military service on Veterans Day, participates in ceremony at ND Heritage Center
Gov. Burgum released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day. Burgum marked the day by delivering remarks at the Veterans Day ceremony at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum.
“America’s military veterans, including the more than 50,000 who call North Dakota home, have earned our deepest gratitude and respect for answering the call of duty at home and abroad and defending the liberty that makes our nation a guiding light of freedom to the world,” Burgum said. “On Veterans Day, we honor those men and women who have served in uniform and the family members who served alongside them by pledging our unwavering support not only with words but also with action, including our continuing efforts to make North Dakota the most military-friendly state in the nation.”
Miller congratulates Native American Hall of Honor inductees
Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller on Friday delivered remarks at the Native American Hall of Honor induction ceremony at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum.
The 2024 inductees were honored for achievements in the sports and leadership categories. They are Rusty Gillette, Terry Kraft, Thomas W. Fredericks, Marc Bluestone Sr. and the 1997-98 United Tribes Technical College Men's Basketball Team.
"Grateful to take part in helping pay tribute to those who have gone above and beyond to represent their tribal nations, our communities and our state," Miller posted on Facebook after the event, congratulating the inductees "who have all left such a positive legacy for their tribes and North Dakota."
The Native American Hall of Honor is a partnership of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, State Historical Society of North Dakota and the State Historical Society Foundation.
The induction ceremony coincided with Native American Heritage Month activities coordinated by the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance.
New Salem nursing facility invests in residents’ health and well-being
North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Nursing Facility Incentive Program was developed in partnership with the North Dakota Long Term Care Association and nursing facilities, approved by lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Burgum. Here’s one success story from the program.
Towering high on a hill above New Salem, N.D., stands a larger-than-life Holstein cow named Salem Sue. For 50 years, she has been an icon welcoming travelers and locals to this small, rural town.
Another community staple that isn’t in the constant limelight, but is having a big impact on people’s lives, is Elm Crest Manor, a 57-bed nursing facility, open since 1969.
“I feel like our facility is a little diamond in the rough,” said Administrator Carrie Zazeski.
“We work hard to take care of our residents. Every one of them is someone’s mother, grandfather or other family member, and they deserve to get the best care possible.”
To underscore the importance of providing quality care to people living in nursing facilities, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new program to recognize nursing facilities with incentive payments for their performance in four federal quality care measures.
One of those quality measures is reducing pressure ulcers. These form when fragile skin is exposed to prolonged periods of laying down or sitting in one position.
Zazeski said, this quality measure has always been a top priority for her and her care team. So much that they devote an enormous amount of time to regular hands-on skills training and continuing education on things like routine turning and repositioning of residents, proper catheter care and personal hygiene care.
Prioritizing residents’ health and safety
It was no surprise that Elm Crest Manor was awarded nearly $27,000 from HHS’ Nursing Facility Incentive Program for their performance in delivering quality care to its residents.
With their incentive payment, the facility purchased a new twin mattress for each resident’s bed. Mattresses are soft on one side and firm on the other, giving residents choice when it comes to their comfort.
“Being able to get new mattresses with these incentive funds has made our skin issues so much better,” Zazeski said. “We’d maybe have one or two residents with a pressure ulcer in the past, and now our numbers are zero.”
Elm Crest Manor also purchased a long-awaited bladder scanner and five medical sleds used for rapid evacuation during emergencies.
“As an older, rural facility, we have limited resources,” Zazeski said. “It’s difficult to keep our facility and all of its components up to date, so this program was very impactful for us.”
As for the care team, they also see on-the-job benefits.
“Receiving funds for the facility really helps instill confidence in the staff for the good care and outcomes we are creating through the work that we do every day,” Zazeski said. “It’s important for overall morale in the facility, knowing that they can make a difference.”
“Moo-ve” over Salem Sue! The team at Elm Crest Manor also deserves a splash of the small-town spotlight.
To learn more about the program, visit hhs.nd.gov/nursing-facility-incentive-program.
Public invited to send ornaments for North Dakota State Christmas Tree
The Office of the First Lady invites artists and craftspeople to provide handmade ornaments for the North Dakota State Christmas Tree. The tree will be on display in Memorial Hall at the state Capitol starting with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5.
Submitted ornaments can vary from traditional to contemporary arts. Items that are commercially produced or made from kits are not eligible. This year’s theme, "Branches of Hope," is inspired by First Lady Kathryn Burgum’s initiative to end the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Just as a tree’s branches extend outward, the theme symbolizes how hope reaches everyone impacted by addiction. Ornaments may reflect personal recovery journeys, support systems or community resources, showcasing how hope branches out in many meaningful ways. Designers are also free to create ornaments in any shape or medium of their choosing.
Each ornament should include the name of the person entering it, their email address and a brief one- or two-line description of the ornament, including the art form used and the special circumstances through which it was created, such as a class or senior center project.
Ornaments must be received in the Office of Management and Budget office no later than Dec. 4. The ornaments become the property of the Office of the First Lady and may be hung on the state tree in ensuing years. Mail ornaments to State of North Dakota, Office of Management and Budget, Julie Strom, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, N.D. 58505.
Gov. Burgum and the first lady encourage the public to join them for holiday readings, music and carols at the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5 in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.
2024 Governor’s Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism Now Open
The North Dakota Governor's Photo Contest for Travel and Tourism is back, inviting residents to capture the beauty and excitement of our state for a chance to win cash prizes and statewide recognition. This year’s contest is a partnership between the Governor's Office, AAA of North Dakota, North Dakota Tourism and the North Dakota Council on the Arts.
“North Dakota is a state of extraordinary beauty and diverse experiences, and this photo contest is a wonderful opportunity for residents to showcase what makes our state special,” Gov. Burgum said. “We encourage everyone to participate, capture the magic of our seasons, and share their unique perspectives with the world. Let’s celebrate North Dakota’s beauty together and inspire others to discover our great state.”
This year's theme highlights North Dakota's diverse seasons, showcasing the unique appeal of our state throughout the year. Photographers can submit entries in eight categories:
- Winter Scenery & Winter Activities
- Fall Scenery & Fall Activities
- Spring Scenery & Spring Activities
- Summer Scenery & Summer Activities
The contest is open to all North Dakota residents. Photographers can submit their entries online through Instagram, the contest website, or Flickr, or by mail. The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2025.
Winners will be chosen in each category, with a grand prize winner receiving an additional cash prize and a free AAA membership. Winning photos will also be displayed in the State Capitol and used in promotional materials.
Full details and contest rules can be found at https://www.ndtourism.com/governors-photo-contest-entry.