Gov. Kelly Armstrong issues executive order creating new council on homelessness
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong issued an executive order on Friday establishing a new council to address homelessness in the state.
The North Dakota Interagency Council on Homelessness will compose of 12 members, with North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Executive Director Brandon Dettlaff named chair and Commissioner of Recovery & Reentry Jonathan Holth serving as vice-chair.
The remaining ten positions are filled by cabinet members and people appointed by the governor:
- North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Brad Hawk
- North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Colby Braun
- North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken
- North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Interim Commissioner Pat Traynor
- Chandler Esslinger, chair of the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People
- Shawnel Willer, NDHFA Continuum of Care coordinator
- Bryce Meyer, The Waters Sober Living Homes and executive pastor of operations at Evangel church in Bismarck
- Curtis Regan, associate broker and real estate developer at Dakota Commercial in Grand Forks
- Bismarck City Administrator Jason Tomanek
- Louise Dardis, longtime West Fargo Public Schools educator and principal, board member of YWCA Cass Clay.
According to the executive order, the council is entitled to the full cooperation of all state departments and that they shall furnish information and any
additional assistance as may be necessary and available to further the purpose of this Executive Order.
“While North Dakota already has a strong network of support services and programs for those experiencing homelessness, we still have individuals falling through the cracks,” Armstrong said. “The Interagency Council on Homelessness will provide a forum for state agencies and service providers to gather information and community input, identify areas for improvement, and recommend strategies to wipe out homelessness and prevent its underlying causes.”
