The transition to a new year often has people thinking about new goals. For those struggling to get by, their hopes for 2023 are more about survival, and in North Dakota, community action agencies offer guidance, which could put people on a more stable path. Sarah Hasbargen, self-sufficiency coordinator and deputy director of the Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency, which provides counseling for those worried about making their housing payment, said the free service can center around crafting a more manageable budget for low-income households. .
As the housing market navigates a sea of obstacles, community-level organizations in Minnesota are urging governments to take a closer look at their strategies for supporting older neighborhoods, and said deteriorating homes shouldn t be overlooked. Construction of new homes continues to lag, in part because of supply-chain issues, and groups such as NeighborWorks Home Partners say there s another problem: plenty of neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as surrounding suburbs, have an aging stock. .
"Opportunity Starts at Home," a short documentary film released this week by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, exposes how housing affordability is central to other national priorities, including health care, food security, education and more. Cathy Alderman, chief communications and public policy officer for the Coalition, said having a safe place to eat, bathe and sleep at night is the foundation upon which every other aspect of our lives depends. "It is very difficult to maintain employment, or to maintain attendance at school, if you don t have a home," Alderman explained. " .
In North Dakota and around the country, goals are being pursued to help military Veterans find permanent housing. Groups leading the effort say landlords are crucial in finding success. The Veterans Administration and nonprofit partners want to establish stable housing for 38,000 veterans nationwide this year. .