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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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ND Report: Rental Assistance Biggest Need for Low-Income Residents

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Monday, December 7, 2020   

FARGO, N.D. -- People losing their house or becoming evicted remains a big concern during the pandemic.

But even before the crisis, the cost of staying in a home was emerging as the most pressing need among low-income North Dakotans.

That's detailed in a new report from a non-profit, the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota.

In 2006, when it last issued its needs assessment, food insecurity topped the list of concerns submitted by marginalized residents.

This month, the group has released an updated report, and affordable housing now tops the list.

Andrea Olson, the group's executive director, said that need is very specific.

"Rental assistance is really a high need that people experiencing poverty statewide have identified," Olson explained.

The study showed nearly 60% of low-income respondents suggested they need help paying their rent.

The report's authors noted while the pandemic might impact the findings, they began collecting data more than a year ago, which indicates the issue has been building for some time.

Olson added rents are especially higher in western North Dakota, suggesting the oil boom might have played a part.

The study was done in cooperation with researchers from North Dakota State University.

Another takeaway is for non-low-income residents, mental health was cited as a top concern at nearly 58%.

Jerry Gao, associate professor at North Dakota State University (NDSU), said that doesn't mean those experiencing poverty aren't struggling with mental health issues themselves.

"Low-income families might not really think about, 'Oh, I have needs for mental health,'" Gao cautioned. "No, it's 'I don't even have a house to live in, I don't really think about these things.'"

Yao Yu, assistant professor at NDSU who also led the report, said the numbers they gathered match up with the written responses when describing specific needs.

"The qualitative results is consistent with the quantitative data," Yu confirmed. "So this is, you know, can reflect the actual situation across the state."

Nearly 3,500 people across North Dakota participated in the report's survey.

Community Action Partnership said it hopes policymakers take note of the findings. The information also will be shared with other non-profits, as well as human service agencies.

Even though hunger no longer tops the list, preliminary Census findings and many aid groups say the need has grown significantly since the pandemic started.

Disclosure: Community Action Partnership of North Dakota contributes to our fund for reporting on Community Issues and Volunteering, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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