Affordable senior housing needs outpacing availability

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – With North Dakota’s aging population, the need for affordable senior housing has continued to outpace development.

“If we could build 1000 units now, most of them would probably fill up. That’s just the demand.”

Beyond Shelter has been working to meet the demand, applying for a Payment in Lieu of Tax Exemption for two new facilities on 65th Ave. S.

These exceptions are just one of the ways that Beyond Shelter aims to keep their units affordable for people who have low or fixed incomes.

“It reduces your operating expenses, so we can either take on more perm debt due to the rising interest rates and construction costs. But more importantly we can lower the rents.”

I’m in the kitchen of one of the two bedroom accessible units at The Plaza Apartments on South University in Fargo. And as you can see from the stainless steel appliances and brand new countertops this is a high quality unit. Something that is so important to the mission of Beyond Shelter.

“You do have to put a little nicer finishes, nicer doors, so it reduces the amount of maintenance that a property has to do down the road.”

And the focus on quality extends beyond the units themselves.

They feature common areas, and they prioritize access to necessities, and a community feel.

“You want to have transportation and accessibility. Even if you can just walk somewhere, it’s important. And being close to facilities and grocery and retail improve that quality of life of what a resident is looking for.”

But at the end of the day, it’s about making sure that our seniors have a good place to live, no matter their income.

“You want to have a good place for people to call home, and you want it to last.”