Income-Based Apartments for Seniors in North Dakota (2026 Guide)

Bottom line

North Dakota seniors should not rely on one apartment list. The strongest search uses three official paths at the same time: the ND Housing rental finder, HUD housing tools, and the USDA rural rental search. You should also apply through the housing authority that serves your city or county.

Some apartments set rent from your income. Others only limit who can move in and charge a fixed affordable rent. Ask which system applies before you submit an application.

Important vacancy warning

An official listing is not proof of an open apartment. ND Housing states that its list does not confirm current vacancies or whether a property accepts vouchers. HUD search tools also do not manage property waitlists. Call the property or housing authority directly. Ask whether the list is open, which program covers the unit, and whether an accessible unit is available.

Do not pay anyone for a “guaranteed” vacancy, a faster waitlist position, or a Section 8 application. Legitimate housing agencies do not sell places on a waiting list.

If you may lose housing soon

Income-based apartments are not emergency shelter. If you have an eviction notice, no safe place to sleep, or a utility shutoff that could make your home unsafe, call 2-1-1 or 701-235-7335. FirstLink 211 serves all of North Dakota and can identify local shelter, rent, food, legal, and transportation resources. The GFS guide to North Dakota emergency help covers other urgent starting points.

Where to start in North Dakota

Use these official North Dakota search tools together

ND Housing

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency now uses the public name ND Housing. Its affordable-rental finder lists properties that received agency support for construction or rehabilitation. Search by city, then contact each property yourself. ND Housing can answer general questions at 701-328-8080 or 800-292-8621. TTY users can dial 711. See the official ND Housing contact page.

HUD tools

The HUD Resource Locator combines public housing agencies, assisted properties, tax-credit properties, and USDA rural housing. The separate HUD multifamily search is better for Section 202 and Project-Based Rental Assistance. Neither tool shows vacancies.

USDA rural housing

USDA Rural Development supports rental housing for low-income, elderly, and disabled residents in eligible rural areas. Its North Dakota office can be reached at 701-530-2037. For multifamily housing questions, call 800-292-8293 or use the USDA North Dakota page.

Income-based and income-restricted rent are not the same

A property can use both systems. A tax-credit unit may also have a project-based subsidy. Ask: “Is this unit only income-restricted, or is the tenant rent based on income?” The GFS guide to income-based senior apartments explains the basic terms.

North Dakota income limits are not one statewide number. They can change by county, household size, program, and project. ND Housing publishes current rent and income limits. Use the limit for the exact property and program, not a number copied from an old apartment advertisement.

Seven housing paths seniors should keep separate

Section 202 senior housing

HUD’s Section 202 program supports housing for low-income residents age 62 or older. The subsidy is connected to the property. Apply to the property manager, not to HUD. Search through the HUD multifamily tool and ask whether the building is Section 202, whether the list is open, and whether the unit has rental assistance. The official Section 202 page confirms the age and program purpose.

Public housing

Public housing is owned or controlled by a public housing agency. Some developments are for older adults; others serve families, older adults, and people with disabilities. Apply to the agency that manages the property. Public housing is not the same as receiving a voucher for a private apartment. See HUD’s public housing guide.

Housing Choice Vouchers

The Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8, is tenant-based assistance. After a housing authority issues a voucher, the household searches for an eligible private unit. The housing authority reviews the rent and inspects the unit before assistance begins. HUD says the tenant share is usually based on adjusted monthly income, but the exact amount also depends on utilities, the local payment standard, and the chosen rent. Start with the HUD voucher page and your local authority.

Project-Based Vouchers

Project-Based Vouchers, or PBVs, are administered by a local housing authority, but the assistance stays with a particular building or unit. Not every North Dakota authority operates PBV housing. Ask the authority whether it has PBV properties and whether each property keeps a separate list.

Project-Based Rental Assistance

Project-Based Rental Assistance, or PBRA, is different from PBV. Under PBRA, the property owner contracts directly with HUD to reserve assisted units. There is no portable voucher. Apply to the property. HUD’s PBV explanation clearly separates these two programs.

USDA rural rentals

USDA finances many rural rental properties. Some units also receive Section 521 Rental Assistance. USDA sends the subsidy to the owner for eligible tenants who cannot pay the full rent. Not every USDA-financed unit has rental assistance, so ask about the exact unit. Read the official USDA rental program before applying.

LIHTC and other income-restricted apartments

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, or LIHTC, apartments use income limits and maximum program rents. These are often called affordable, tax-credit, or income-restricted apartments. Rent may still be too high for a senior living only on Social Security if no additional subsidy is attached. Ask about utilities, required deposits, rent increases, and whether any units have project-based assistance.

A North Dakota-specific path: Moderate Rehabilitation

ND Housing directly administers HUD rental assistance contracts for specified Moderate Rehabilitation housing in Devils Lake, Fargo, and Grand Forks. This is not a statewide portable voucher. Assistance is tied to participating housing, and applicants use the current packet provided by ND Housing.

Check the ND Housing renter page for the current application and instructions. Ask which properties and bedroom sizes are covered, where to return the packet, and how to report address or phone changes. Do not assume that applying to this program also places you on a city housing authority list.

Major North Dakota housing-authority contacts

Housing authority boundaries can follow cities, counties, or groups of counties. Apply wherever you could realistically live. A closed list at one agency does not show another agency’s status.

For another city or county, use HUD’s PHA contact finder or call 800-955-2232. Do not assume the authority with the nearest office serves your address.

Rural, western, and tribal-area guidance

Small towns may have only one or two assisted properties. Search nearby towns too. Compare rent with fuel, winter travel, medical trips, groceries, and transportation. A lower rent may not be cheaper when services are far away.

• Search USDA first: USDA’s database is especially important outside Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot.
• Ask about utility type: Electric heat, propane, water, sewer, garbage, and plug-in fees can change the true monthly cost.
• Ask about snow access: Find out who clears the parking lot, entrance, ramp, and path to mailboxes.
• Check county coverage: Some regional authorities cover several counties from one office.
• Use local senior help: The GFS list of North Dakota aging agencies can help seniors locate benefits counseling, meals, transportation, and local support.

Tribal housing programs are separate from county PHAs. Seniors connected with Fort Berthold, Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain, or the Trenton Indian Service Area should contact their tribe or Tribally Designated Housing Entity directly. HUD provides a tribal housing directory. Ask whether the program has senior units, rental assistance, home repair help, or a separate application.

Ask about the full monthly cost and household rules

Do not compare apartments by base rent alone. Ask every property these questions.

Keep one application tracker

Properties and authorities keep separate lists. One application rarely covers the others. Copy or print this table. Follow each agency’s instructions for status updates.

Save screenshots, letters, emails, envelopes, and upload receipts. Record every address and phone-number update you submit. The GFS guide to Section 8 waitlists explains why keeping contact information current is essential.

Documents to gather

• Photo identification for adult household members.
• Social Security numbers or other required identity documents.
• Social Security, SSI, pension, annuity, employment, and benefit statements.
• Recent bank and asset statements requested by the program.
• Current lease, rent receipt, eviction notice, or homelessness documentation when relevant.
• Names, birth dates, and relationships of everyone who will live in the unit.
• Landlord history and contact details.
• Information about vehicles, child support, recurring contributions, or other income when requested.
• Disability-related request documents when an accommodation is needed.
• Immigration or citizenship documents required by the specific federal program.

Do not send original documents unless the agency clearly requires them. Ask how to submit sensitive information safely and how to obtain proof of receipt.

Reasonable accommodation and modification

Ask in writing when possible. State the change you need and how it relates to the disability. A provider may request limited information when the disability-related need is not obvious, but it should not demand unnecessary medical details.

For North Dakota help, contact the High Plains Fair Housing Center at 701-203-1077 or 866-380-2738. You may also review the state housing discrimination process. The state says a housing discrimination complaint must be filed no later than one year after the last alleged harm. The GFS guide to disabled-senior resources lists other North Dakota support paths.

Housing scam warnings

• Never pay for a Section 8 application or a guaranteed waitlist position.
• Do not send money before confirming the property, manager, lease, and payment instructions.
• Be cautious when someone demands gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash.
• Do not trust a copied government logo. Start from an official agency website.
• Do not share Social Security numbers or bank records through an unverified text message or social-media account.
• Call the authority using the number on its official website when a message seems unusual.

If a list is closed, you are denied, or you feel overwhelmed

If the list is closed

Ask whether the closure covers every program or only one list. A housing authority may have separate lists for public housing, vouchers, PBV units, or senior properties. Continue applying to properties, USDA rentals, and other authorities in areas where you can live. Never assume a closed voucher list means all affordable housing is closed.

If your application is incomplete

Ask for the missing-item list in writing. Submit only through an approved method and keep proof. A complete application is often required before the agency places it on a list.

If you are denied

Read the notice immediately. It should explain the reason and any review, hearing, grievance, or appeal right. Deadlines differ. Keep the notice and envelope, request your file when allowed, and correct wrong records. Legal Services of North Dakota may help eligible residents. The GFS guide to second-chance senior housing covers screening barriers.

If paperwork is too hard

Ask for a reasonable accommodation, an alternate format, or help from a trusted person. North Dakota’s Aging and Disability Resource Link can connect older adults and people with disabilities to local support at 855-462-5465. Do not sign a blank form or give a helper control of your money unless you understand the arrangement.

Phone scripts

Calling an apartment property

“Hello. I am looking for affordable housing for an older adult. Is your waiting list open? Is the rent based on the tenant’s income or only income-restricted? Which subsidy applies to the unit, and what costs are not included in rent?”

Calling a housing authority

“Hello. I live in or could move to [city or county]. Which of your public housing, voucher, project-based, or senior-housing lists can I apply to now? Does one application cover every list, or do I need separate applications?”

Calling a rural property

“Hello. I found your property in the USDA rental search. Does the unit have Section 521 Rental Assistance, or is it only a USDA-financed apartment? What would I pay for rent, utilities, deposits, and other monthly charges?”

Requesting an accommodation

“I have a disability-related need that affects the application or housing process. I am requesting [specific change]. Please tell me how to submit the request, what limited verification you need, and who will confirm the decision in writing.”

Backup options while you search

Affordable housing searches often work best when seniors also reduce other monthly costs. Check the GFS guide to North Dakota senior benefits for food, energy, health, tax, and local support. Senior veterans can also review North Dakota veteran help. These programs do not replace housing, but they may make the current home safer or more affordable during the search.

Resumen en español

Las personas mayores en Dakota del Norte deben buscar vivienda por varias vías al mismo tiempo: ND Housing, HUD, USDA Rural Development y la autoridad de vivienda que cubre su ciudad o condado. Una lista oficial no confirma que haya un apartamento disponible.

Pregunte si la renta se calcula según sus ingresos o si el apartamento solo tiene un límite de ingresos. También pregunte por servicios públicos, depósitos, tarifas, accesibilidad y transporte. Guarde copias de cada solicitud y mantenga actualizados su teléfono y dirección. Para ayuda urgente, llame al 2-1-1. Para una posible discriminación de vivienda, llame a High Plains Fair Housing Center al 866-380-2738.

Frequently asked questions

Are there income-based senior apartments in every North Dakota county?

No. Availability and program coverage vary. Some counties have public housing or voucher programs, while small towns may rely more on USDA or privately managed assisted properties.

Does the ND Housing list show current vacancies?

No. ND Housing states that its property list does not confirm current vacancy or voucher acceptance. Call each property directly.

Is Section 202 the same as Section 8?

No. Section 202 is housing developed for low-income residents age 62 or older. Section 8 may refer to tenant-based vouchers or project-based assistance. Ask which program applies to the exact unit.

Can I apply to more than one housing authority?

Yes, when you are willing and able to live in each authority’s service area. Each authority has its own applications, lists, policies, and contact-update rules.

Will a LIHTC apartment charge 30% of my income?

Not necessarily. LIHTC apartments are usually income-restricted and use program rent limits. A separate subsidy must be attached for rent to be calculated from the tenant’s income.

Do USDA rural apartments all include rental assistance?

No. A property may have USDA financing without Section 521 Rental Assistance for every unit. Ask the manager about the exact apartment.

Can a senior request help with an inaccessible application?

Yes. A person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as another communication method or help using the application process.

How long is the wait for income-based housing in North Dakota?

There is no reliable statewide wait time. It depends on the program, location, bedroom size, preferences, turnover, funding, and whether the list is open. Ask each agency for its current information without treating an estimate as a promise.

About this guide

This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified July 12, 2026, next review October 12, 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.