Leveraging Funding to Support Women and Children Victims of Domestic Violence in Fargo

North Dakota Field Office Director Joel Manske, YWCA Housing Director Erin Dahl, Region VIII Deputy Regional Administrator Eric Cobb, and YWCA CEO Erin Prochnow at the site of the new Grace Garden Supportive Housing Project

Region VIII Deputy Regional Administrator (DRA) Eric Cobb and North Dakota Field Office Director Joel Manske visited the YWCA Cass Clay Emergency Shelter in Fargo, North Dakota. The complex provides housing and supportive services to women and children transitioning from domestic violence.

In 2016 Pastor Joel Baranko from Lutheran Church of the Cross invited the YWCA to build new supportive housing on a vacant church-owned property. The YWCA, the Lutheran Church, Gate City Bank, NDHFA (Housing Trust Fund, LIHTC), the North Dakota Department of Commerce (CDBG funding), the Cass County Housing Authority (Housing Choice Vouchers), Seeds of Hope, Beyond Shelter Inc., and other partners broke ground on Grace Garden, which will provide homes for 30 families at risk of homelessness, many transitioning from domestic violence.

"The partnerships I have seen throughout the State of North Dakota provide inspiring examples of the collaboration needed to leverage Federal, state, private, and non-profit funding to address the needs of communities," said Region VIII DRA Eric Cobb.

The apartment homes will range from one- to four-bedroom units. There will also be YWCA staff offices, a community room, exercise room, patio, garage and playground. Utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Housing Trust Fund, private donations, and many other resources, including 30 Project-Based Housing Choice Vouchers committed from the Housing Authority of Cass County, the complex is planned to open next summer.

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