As the U.S. navigates a prolonged housing crisis, a North Dakota organization is highlighting data
showing significant homeownership disparities. According to the High Plains Fair Housing Center, North Dakota has the largest racial gap in the nation when it comes to owning a home. The state's gap is more than 20% higher than the U.S. average.

Jade Eagle, fair housing specialist with High Plains Fair Housing Center, said families of color were more likely than white families to have their applications denied or withdrawn. Both groups had common factors, but a lack of sufficient employment was higher for racial groups. She added there needs to be more job opportunities for these individuals.

"And I believe that lenders also need to be willing to work with people who have less traditional employment history, such as people who work for Uber, who have gig economy-type setups," she explained.

As for those submitting mortgage applications, the report says there are some eye-opening numbers, such as Native Americans accounting for just 1% of lending requests. That is despite the fact that they represent more than 5% of the state's population. Census Bureau data, covering last year, was a key source for much of the findings.

Eagle said there are some key assistance programs that can help close these gaps, but added awareness can be an issue.

"Especially the Section 184 program from HUD - I think that that is a huge game changer, potentially for Native families," she continued. "And I just feel like not many people know about it."

The HUD program she is referring to provides low down-payment requirements and flexible financing for American Indian and Alaska Native families. Other leaders with the Center say these programs, and those assigned to carry them out, often have to balance using their limited budgets to advertise the aid and securing enough resources to assist applicants.

The public housing agency serving Nebraska's largest city faces legal action amid claims of poor living conditions for a tenant with disabilities. The plaintiffs said it is an example of housing barriers limiting one's quality of life.

Legal Aid of Nebraska has filed a request for a temporary injunction against the Omaha Housing Authority, claiming it is falling short in accommodating Latonia Freeman, who has asthma as well as a disability. The two sides have been locked in a dispute over the situation.

Caitlin Cedfeldt, supervising attorney for Legal Aid of Nebraska, said Freeman has had to endure living in an apartment with unsafe, mold-ridden conditions.

"Her housing is detrimental to her health," Cedfeldt asserted. "But the alternative, which is potentially being homeless, is also not healthy."

The Housing Authority, which was recently met with a class-action lawsuit in a separate case concerning tenants' rights, did not respond to a request for comment. Last session, Nebraska lawmakers did pass some reforms for marginalized renters but another bill failed.

Cedfeldt suggested there should be broader efforts to help vulnerable tenants know and make use of their rights. She pointed out the current rental market added to the dilemma tenants with limited resources face in the event of discrimination or similar situations with their existing landlord.

"Because of the limited supply of affordable housing in Omaha and across the country, it's hard to find an alternative that's safe," Cedfeldt explained.

Beyond reforms dealing with tenants' rights, advocates said such examples bring renewed focus on the need for affordable housing development accessible to a range of populations. The bill adopted in Nebraska provides a "right to counsel" but only for public-housing tenants in cities with at least 400,000 people. In Nebraska, only the city of Omaha applies.


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By Tyler Fenwick for Mirror Indy.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration.

Safe Park Indy is expanding to a second location for people who are living in their cars.

The organization opened its first location at a church on the northeast side in October. Along with a safe space to park overnight, the church gives people access to internet, bathrooms, snacks and a community room.

It plans to open a parking lot on the north side starting Jan. 1. When it’s ready, both parking lots may not be open at the same time — at least not at first.

Elizabeth Friedland, the organization’s executive director, said details aren’t final, but it’s possible the two lots will be open on a rotating basis.

Mirror Indy has agreed to not name the locations because Safe Park Indy requires a background check and won’t accept walk-ins. Both lots have space for 10 cars.

The organization’s goal is to have four parking lots open all at the same time by the end of next year.

Safe parking sites in high demand

The need for a safe place to park overnight became immediately clear when Safe Park Indy opened its first lot.

The waitlist has ballooned to 350 people, Friedland said. And she only expects that number to keep rising as the nights get colder.

“It is absolutely mindblowing to me,” Friedland said. “I knew the need would be big, but I had no idea it would be 350 people waiting for a spot.”

Still, Friedland said the first lot has been a success.

About half of the people have been there since it opened, she said, while the other half typically stay for a few nights and then move on.

So, even though 350 people is a lot, Friedland urged people to keep signing up because spots can open quickly.

And as another sign of early success, Friedland said the organization has gotten through the first nearly two months without a safety incident.

How to sign up

To be admitted to the program, you must be homeless and living in your car. You can’t have active warrants or a history of violent crimes.

The parking lots are not open to families with children.

Apply for a spot here. Once admitted, the organization will send the parking lot location.


Tyler Fenwick wrote this article for Mirror Indy.


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More than two dozen members of a tenant's union in Bozeman are threatening a rent strike if their landlord doesn't address maintenance and other safety issues at their apartment complex.

Supporters say these concerns are especially critical for renters struggling to pay their bills.

Residents of the Bridger Heights apartments say their landlord is ignoring complaints over untreated black mold, radon, plumbing issues, and what they term "unreasonable" apartment inspections.

Montana Fair Housing Executive Director Pam Bean said low-income tenants who have access to income-based housing, like Bridger Heights, are often people of color.

"Are people with disabilities," said Bean. "Are the elderly. Are often single parents, particularly single moms."

Bean said if the residents of Bridger Heights and other income-based housing are treated differently than renters in other places, that could violate non-discrimination laws and/or the Montana Landlord-Tenant Act.

The Bridger Heights landlord, a building owned by the real estate investment firm 11 Capital, has called the tenants' complaints "stupid.:" 11 Capital did not respond to a request for comment.

The tenants union wants a payout of $5,000 dollars, or 50% of the total rent paid to 11 Capital for each renter to settle their dispute.

Bean said housing that isn't maintained, or is unsafe or uninhabitable, limits availability in a state that already has far too little affordable housing.

"We have to address affordable housing that is really affordable," said Bean. "Affordable by very low-income standards and by up to middle-income standards. We would not being seeing this increased participation if the conditions weren't getting worse and worse."

11 Capital operates the largely government-funded, Section 8 housing complex in Bozeman. It includes about 50 units that rent for below-market value.