The Milton Earl: New affordable housing complex for seniors opens in downtown Fargo

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Milton Earl held its grand opening, bringing a new option for affordable living for senior residents in a historic area of downtown Fargo.

Beyond Shelter has been working with various stakeholders on the $14 million dollar senior affordable housing project. Senator John Hoeven, who attended the opening, said that the importance of this project can’t be understated.

“You’ve got a $14 million project, 42 units, and it’s got all the amenities, the great balcony, the community room, all these things.”

He added that having the project so close to downtown’s resources will be important for the  residents.

“Really important to the vibrancy of downtown, and really important for the folks that live here so that they have access to all of these things within walking distance.”

Beyond Shelter CEO Dan Madler said that he’s excited to finally see the building open.

“Our average vacancy rate for our senior units in Fargo are 2% or less. So there’s a strong demand, we can’t build them fast enough. ”

30 of the building’s units will be operated on a voucher system, which requires residents to pay 30% of their income towards the rent. The other 12 units are $660 a month for a 1 bedroom, and $760 per month for a 2 bedroom unit.

“Imagine if you only had $1,500 a month that would have to cover your living expenses; your food, your medication, your transportation and everything else that goes on in life. And if $1,000 of that is going toward rent, how do you make the rest, $500, stretch for the month.”

And for Madler, it’s not just about preventing seniors from becoming homeless, it’s about giving their residents a place that they can call home.

“They deserve a quality home to live in, and so quality really matters. And hopefully by developing quality affordable housing in the market, we’re helping to change the perception of what quality housing looks like. ”

Beyond Shelter has also purchased the lot next to the Milton Earl. They plan to develop it into 42 more units of affordable housing for seniors.