The Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance (EDHA) was formed in 1996 as a loose affiliation of non-profit organizations interested in increasing the availability of affordable housing in their communities.  In 1997 the group hired a staff person to pursue their mission of “Fostering the development and preservation of affordable housing in Eastern North Dakota”.  In 1998, the organization incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the state of North Dakota.  By the end of that year EDHA was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, by the State of North Dakota as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), and became involved in its first affordable housing development.  The board of directors is made up of one representative of each of the founding organizations and up to four at large members.    As a CHDO, the EDHA accesses North Dakota’s allocation of HOME funds, which are typically, invested into housing developments in the form of low interest loans. Repayment of these loans has enabled the EDHA to create a new Community Loan Fund, and earning the EDHA certification by the Department of Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The loan fund allows the EDHA to react to local needs with an entirely new source of financing. Funding decisions are made locally rather than at a state or national level. The focus of the fund is to provide flexible short term financing for the development of affordable housing particularly in rural underserved area.  Since its inception the

Alliance has participated in the development of projects consisting of over 200 units, nearly 90% of which are affordable to lower income households. Projects have ranged in size from two units up to 45 units and have been located throughout the 25 county service area. EDHA has lent over $3 million for new construction or preservation of multi-family rentals, effectively leveraging over $18 million in development costs.