Exploring North Dakota's missing middle housing

At AARP North Dakota, we work to empower older adults to choose how they live as they age. We hear regularly from older adults who want to age at home in their communities.

In too many places, walkable, small- to mid-sized housing that's affordable for middle income households can't be found because it no longer exists. In late September 2023, AARP North Dakota hosted two missing middle housing forums in Bismarck and West Fargo where presenters and participants addressed what it is, where it went and why we need this option for people of all ages.

The 2022 Housing Assessment report from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency noted, "…the state's focus needs to shift from building as fast as possible to addressing the age of its housing stock, limited housing options and affordability barriers."

This shift needs to apply across the age and income spectrum to include the state's fastest growing population segment – Baby Boomers.

Samar Jha, AARP Government Affairs Director joined us to discuss how ND can expand the housing options for Baby Boomers and all residents. Learn more about the conversation and next steps by viewing the presentations or delving deeper into AARP's resources.

Presentations from the Forums

• Re-Legalizing Middle Housing - Samar Jha, AARP Government Affairs Director
  
• 2022 ND Statewide Housing Needs Assessment - Dave Flohr, Executive Director, ND Housing Finance Agency
  
• FM Regional Housing Needs Analysis - Adam Altenburg, AICP Community and Transportation Analyst, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metrocog)
  

Resources

• Missing Middle Housing - An AARP resource that includes links to MMH guides
• AARP Roadmap to Livability - A workbook focused on community listening sessions.
• Watch our Sept. 28 All Things AARP ND which includes an interview between Samar and ND State Director Josh Askvig

For more information on AARP North Dakota's missing middle housing initiatives, contact:
Janelle Moos, Advocacy Director at jmoos@aarp.or or 701-390-0161