Nate Dorr, our Senior Program Manager for Rural and Tribal Capacity Building, was recently interviewed for the Up North Report to discuss the recent Beltrami County housing study, funded by GMHF and Sanford Health.
The study highlighted a critical need across northern Minnesota: thousands of new housing units will be required by 2035. To meet the demand, communities will need a mix of affordable rental housing, homes for first-time buyers, and options for senior living.
“I haven’t seen any community that doesn’t need housing or that isn’t showing growth in housing,” said Dorr. “Population may go up or down in a community, but the number of households — so the number of housing units — is going up because we’re seeing a lot of one or two person households…we are seeing more demand for smaller units.”
GMHF is committed to turning this data into action. In Beltrami County, that means convening local and regional partners, including elected officials, private developers, the county board, Headwaters Regional Development Commission, and Sanford Health, to align around solutions and next steps.
“Using the study and data towards action, bringing people together and to talk through solutions… we’re starting to see that blossom now here in the spring as we go into construction season,” added Dorr.
Listen to the full segment from KAXE.
Photo credit: KAXE
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