CommunityWorks North Dakota was founded in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of addressing housing issues, particularly for low-income and moderate-income individuals. By partnering with local lenders, government officials and entities, communities and others, CommunityWorks has provided much-needed assistance and development to many families and communities across the state. Since its founding, CommunityWorks had been able to accomplish many goals that have helped to provide North Dakota residents with safe and affordable housing opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITYWORKS ND'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CommunityWorks has won six Champion of Affordable Housing awards from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency. CWND earned a Champion Award for production in 2001 and 2004; Executive Director Paul Rechlin was awarded its Champion of Affordable Housing Leadership Award in 2004; and the DREAM Fund and its other lending activities were recognized with Champion awards in the lending category in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In 2004, CommunityWorks was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Treasury Department.

CommunityWorks was accepted into the NeighborWorks Campaign for Home Ownership in December, 2004, joining 150 other organizations around the country to promote homeownership for low- and moderate-income households.

CommunityWorks coordinated a $700,000, 72-home rehabilitation project to benefit low-income and elderly homeowners living in rural areas of the state.  To recognize this accomplishment, CommunityWorks was presented with the Award of Excellence from the Federal Home Loan Bank-Des Moines in 2003.

CommunityWorks is North Dakota's first and only chartered member of the NeighborWorks America® (formerly Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation NeighborWorks®).  NeighborWorks America is a Congressionally-chartered, national nonprofit organization that provides resources and training to local organizations to increase affordable homeownership and community revitalization opportunities.

In 2003, CWND and MetroPlains worked together again to develop "Library Square", a 46-unit apartment building in Mandan for low-income, elderly residents of the community.  The new building has helped to revitalize Mandan's downtown community, which had been devastated by an underground diesel plume.  Library Square was the recipient of the Champion of Affordable Housing award for the production category from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (2004). Read the Community Housing Capital Story about Library Square.

CommunityWorks partnered with MetroPlains Development, a for-profit development company, to convert an abandoned, historic school house in Beulah into 28 affordable apartment units.  The"Beulah Schoolhouse Apartments" earned national and state accolades, including the HUD Top 100 Best Practices Award and the North Dakota Governor's Awardfor the Best Multi-Family Project. View more Beulah SchoolHouse Photos