North Dakota governor establishes new council to identify ways to prevent homelessness

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A new interagency council seeks to bring state leaders, service providers and other stakeholders together to work to end homelessness in North Dakota.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced the 12-member council to be chaired by a member of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency that will work to develop strategies for preventing homelessness.

“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 in a statement.

The Interagency Council on Homelessness will make annual reports to the governor and state lawmakers on its progress. The report will also include recommendations for executive and legislative actions.

From October 2024 through September 2025, North Dakota had 3,835 people who were experiencing homelessness, an increase of about 100 people over the previous year, according to the North Dakota Homeless Information System. Of those, more than 2,400 required emergency shelter.

Brandon Dettlaff, executive director of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, said the council will be chaired by Jennifer Henderson, director of community housing and grants management at the agency, because of her direct involvement with homeless service providers in the state.

He said the Legislature allocated the agency $10 million to address homelessness during the biennium, but half has already been spent this year. Dettlaff said he’s confident the group can find ways to prevent homelessness.

“What’s the alternative? It’s to do nothing, and it just keeps getting worse,” Dettlaff said. ”When it comes down to it, it’s a housing issue. It’s a lack of housing.”

The council will look at what programs and funding are available across state agencies to make an impact during the interim, Dettlaff said. He said he hopes the council will present lawmakers with proven programs to fund during the 2027 legislative session.