Seeds planted today reap tomorrow’s harvest.

City leadership in Mandan, North Dakota envisioned their town as a place to live, work and play. Growing and developing their town not only took time – but diligence to the task.

These leaders knew they needed to reach a broad spectrum of ages, as they attracted interest in the community. And when affordable senior housing was brought to the table, folks listened. Seeds were planted. Located at 100 1^st St NW in Mandan, the initial senior housing project created more than 40 spacious apartments for folks 55 and older. Managed by Metro Plains Management, the team quickly recognized the need for further development. Cultivating an expansion to include additional apartment units as well as community space, the project once again gained momentum.

Community Works North Dakota teamed with Metro Plains Development and achieved low income housing tax credits – then grant monies lent from NeighborWorks America. Securing a much needed first mortgage through Community Housing Capital, they broke ground for Library Square II.

“We held a waiting list of one hundred names for Library Square II,” Community Works ND Multifamily Director Rob Knoll said. “Clearly the community needed this type of housing.”

Library Square II stretches to the west of Library Square along First Avenue NW, today. Deep roots in the community, the project grew upward to house 91 apartments who share a multitude of community spaces within.

“The two buildings share a dining room as well as a chapel, exercise room, game room and library,” Metro Plains Management manager Linda Lidstrom said. “And outside of socializing, these people just plain look out for one another."

Reaching outward like branches, the residents, their visiting family and friends contribute to the retail sector as they shop for grocery or fuel their vehicles. Churches, pharmacies and medical facilities gain foot traffic and hair salons or eateries enjoy an increased volume. “Library Square I and II have had a very positive impact upon the central business district,” Mandan City Administrator Jim Neubauer said. “The streets of downtown Mandan fill up with those coming for lunch and visiting guests.” Further, Neubauer said he sees friends and family join the residents for fellowship, card playing and gathering together. And certainly area retail businesses see increased sales.

Library Square I and II residents feel they have become a community within a community. So interconnected under one roof, they are each the fruit of this seed planted. New friends meet for pool, card games or lunch. Residents look out for one another, recognizing ways to help out or offer to drive friends for groceries. Borrowing a newspaper or sharing leftovers with neighbors.

“I love this job so much!” Lidstrom said. “These people are like moms and grandmas to me. And not all of them come to Library Square on their own. Their children urge them to move, which is often met with resistance. However, the same tenants who don’t want to move in usually find themselves mingling by the second week. And by the end of the first month – they love it here!”

Lidstrom works hard to encourage ways to help residents bond. They’ve together planted a community garden on the grounds and reaped the harvest. Community laundry rooms on each floor lend themselves to a certain level of conversation and with 91 units at capacity, friendships and new relationships are a given.

Francis and Dee Flynn

Longtime Mandan residents Francis and Dee Flynn expected to live out their days at their apartment in north Mandan. Relatively young seniors, they experienced health setbacks that changed their way of life, in an instant. Recovering from major back surgery, Dee could no longer carry groceries up the stairs into their residence. Unable to help, Francis suffered a dilemma of his own. His knees wouldn’t allow him to climb the stairs at all. Fairly homebound, the couple relied upon neighbors to help them carry goods in or out. Their children encouraged them to tour the apartments at Library Square II. The timing was right.

“When I saw the walk-in pantry for my larger kitchen items, I knew I could make this my home,” resident Dee Flynn said. “And then I walked into the storage room and saw my freezer would fit; that cinched it.”

A bit troubled by the absence of a garage, Francis hesitated. However, after touring the building(s) with Dee, he quickly realized the potential for their quality of life. He recognized the offerings of community spaces, the neighborly atmosphere and decided the car could take care of herself.

“This is going to extend our life,” Francis Flynn said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

The couple moved in, less a few items. Turning the second bedroom into a dining room and office space, they now find the apartment spacious enough to live and entertain comfortably. They participate in pool, cards or bingo and enjoy affordable lunches in the dining room. Shopping for groceries means an outing, followed by a smooth elevator ride upstairs.

“Strangely, I feel more independent, here,” Francis Flynn said.

“Our daughter told us her prayers were answered,” Dee Flynn said.

Betty Mae Johnson

Recently widowed, Betty Johnson found herself faced with creating a new life. A lower level apartment dweller, she climbed stairs outdoors. Her children were concerned with her safety, considering the harshness of winter weather; they began ‘shopping around’ for a new home. They agreed upon Library Square II.

“Even after the girls told me I’d like it, I had to see a couple of apartments for myself – and they were nice,” resident Betty Mae Johnson said. “I especially liked the views to the north. My son told me I’d see storms arriving before they were on top of me.”

She enjoys socializing; it was so easy to get involved with pinochle and bingo with other residents, enjoying the close knit community of Library Square residents. Johnson owns her own car and drives for groceries.

“Anybody can drive around Mandan,” Johnson said. “It’s not like the hustle and bustle of Bismarck, and I do drive myself to church unless one of the girls [daughters] picks me up.”

Johnson worked in the public schools prior to moving to Library Square. She admits missing the interaction with children – but now has many options for socializing with other seniors. She said if she’s ever feeling lonesome in the evenings, she heads downstairs where others tend to be gathering. “And there’s always personal company,” Johnson said. “Quite a few of my family have come by to see my new place.”

Rose Aken

Forever changed, Rose Aken suffered a stroke twelve years ago. Unable to use her right arm and leg, Aken turned to Liberty Heights in Mandan. After independently living in that community for several years, she heard about Library Square II, and decided to check it out. The downtown location interested her, since she no longer drives – and she imagined she’d be able to remain self-sufficient. She’d walk outdoors to appointments, to shop or attend church.

After touring a few apartments, Aken settled on a handicap accessible unit, completely changing her life.

“Now I can walk around as much as I want,” resident Rose Aken said. “I can walk to the grocery store with my cart or use the laundry room without leaving the building.”

Further, Aken said she finds ways to ‘go out without going out’. Cruising the halls for exercise or visiting with other residents keeps her busy. And others are helpful to her. When she’s struggling with a heavy load or unable to complete a task, she knows she can turn to one of many new friends.

“Library Square is a community of its own,” Aken said. “And when I get tired of walking or need to be alone, I just go home.”

Lila Buchman

Retirement for Lila Buchman meant changing up her life in a big way. Returning to North Dakota after spending three years in Minnesota, she considered Mandan’s Library Square immediately.

“I decided to live in Mandan,” resident Lila Buchman said. “Since my children live in different towns across North Dakota, this was a great choice. I can still drive to see each of them.”

Buchman discovered Library Square II to be filled with opportunities. A safe community to drive around in, she could leave the building to shop for grocery or use the pharmacy. She could trek around a bit to shop for antiques or gather with other residents for activities.

She noticed developed friendships among others. “The seniors on the ‘other side’ [Library Square] have become ‘old friends’ now,” Buchman said.

Buchman’s the new gal on the block, yet she looks forward to creating her own friendships and spending time in the community rooms, such as the exercise room, playing cards or bingo – but finds herself quite busy in her own apartment. She turned one of two bedrooms into a craft room to store her beads, embroidery and crafting supplies, everything a crafter needs. 

Loretta Fettig

People love a good party or gathering, and Loretta knows how to pull them off.

Library Square II resident Loretta Fettig mingles and mixes with her neighbors regularly as she plays cards, bingo or joins them for crafts. And since she enjoys a good gathering, she plans them as well. A few phone calls to neighbors and she’s got cards shuffling in the game room – or after telephoning her new girlfriends, they’re gathering for a coffee clutch.

Fettig recently helped plan the entertainment [games] for Library Square’s Halloween Party. Each participant came with a gag gift to exchange.

“Nearly fifty guests played cards or bingo with one another,” resident Loretta Fettig said. “Everyone had a good time.”

Since her children live in either Bismarck or Mandan, Fettig moved from Dickinson to Library Square at Mandan once it was open for residents. Fully utilizing the entire building, she gathers with her neighbors for everything from the noon meal to evening gatherings. She also frequents area businesses: for groceries, to have her hair done, to pick up prescriptions and to dine out with a group of friends.

“Three or four of us get together every month,” Fettig said. “In fact we try to go to a different restaurant every time.”

Fettig’s new to Mandan, but clearly, this is her new home. And in a home, people look out for one another. A bit of a caretaker, she considers whose faces are absent each morning – or pays attention to whose health may have changed, so she might offer to help out or report a missing person to Linda. She finds herself reaching out to help others.

The project a success, residents at Library Square and businesses in Mandan reciprocate their interconnectedness. The residents enjoy life in Mandan – and vendors appreciate the business.

 “The presence of Library Square in downtown Mandan provides a positive influence toward developers and businesses who consider building or locating their business to Mandan,” Mandan Business Development Director Ellen Huber said, “Additionally, friends, family and new residents to Library Square patronize area business.” Huber said Library Square ripples through the community. The impact?  Great!

“Library Square has proven to be a catalyst for future developers,” Knoll said. “Mandan is now a place to invest.”

Seeds planted yesterday developed into a majestic tree – deeply rooted in Mandan, branches stretching into the community. And scattered throughout the branches, 91 or so precious fruits.

Hurdles jumped

Anderson joined Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, Northwood city leaders and other officials from participating non-profit agencies outside the Braaten home Tuesday to ceremoniously dedicate the new or rehabilitated homes and present American flags to four Northwood families and one individual.  Adam Flaagan said Northwood is “a good place to call home.”  Flaagan, 25, was living in an apartment complex destroyed by the Aug. 26 tornado. He has been living in Hatton. On Tuesday, he signed off on a loan for his first home, an existing Northwood dwelling that survived the devastating storm.  “I probably would not have gotten my home, but for (the program),” said Flaagan, a volunteer firefighter who also works in Northwood. “They went through a lot of hurdles to get this for me.”  Flaagan just signed off on the home loan Tuesday, he said, so he hasn’t moved into his home yet. But he’s ready to move back. “I’m really excited,” he said.

CommunityWorks

According to the Braatens, finding a suitable loan to get back on their feet was a nightmare.  They found a modular house, but the original loan they sought would have provided money in installments, rather than upfront. The latter was necessary, they said, to move their new house onto their old home’s foundation.  “We had the house, and we had no money,” Audrey Braaten recalled. “I tell you, I was ready to collapse.”  That’s when she checked to see whether her family would qualify for the DREAM Fund home loan program offered by CommunityWorks North Dakota.  The nonprofit organization’s mission is to help revitalize communities by providing needy state residents with affordable housing and development opportunities. CommunityWorks was recruited by the state Housing Finance Agency to help provide lending assistance for Northwood’s recovery.  The DREAM Fund helps individuals and families with down payment and closing cost aid, rehabilitation and emergency repair assistance, mortgage assistance and help with other financing, such as construction bridge loans.

CommunityWorks gained extra lending muscle with help from Conrad, who secured financial commitments from two national nonprofit organizations — Enterprise Community Partners and NeighborWorks — to make the loans readily available to qualified applicants.  The program worked wonders in Northwood, according to the people who used it.  “They were right there for us,” Audrey Braaten said.  And now, the Braatens, with a new home and two added foster children, are back on Northwood’s Third Avenue — right where they want to be.

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) recognized six of their housing partners as Champions of Affordable Housing at the 2007 Statewide Housing Conference.

“Without the assistance of these partnering organizations, the staff at NDHFA would not be able to provide affordable home loans, ensure the availability of affordable rental units or offer a hand to community leaders struggling to meet the housing needs of their local population,” said Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, who presented the awards on behalf of the Industrial Commission.

Receiving Lender Awards:

• Bremer Bank, part of the Bremer Financial Services Company; and
• CommunityWorks North Dakota, a nonprofit organization based in Bismarck; and
• Dakota Community Bank, serves nine communities in central and southwest North Dakota; and
• First Community Credit Union, 13 locations across North Dakota.

Lender awards are based on participation in the Agency’s homeownership programs and involvement in locally sponsored affordable housing projects and events.

Affordable Housing Developers, Inc., a multi-regional Community Housing Development Organization based in Bismarck, received the Housing Production Award. Projects completed by the nonprofit developer in 2006 included six single-family units at Trail West, a 10.2 acre subdivision in Mandan; construction of 24 rental units in Dickinson; the acquisition and rehabilitation of 20 rental units in Rugby; and provision of a low-interest loan to help Berthold Housing Corp acquire, move and rehabilitate four rental units.

Lynn Fundingsland of Fargo, ND, was recognized with a Leadership Award for his dedication to providing affordable housing opportunities and creating awareness of housing issues in his community. Fundingsland heads the Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority and non-profit developer Beyond Shelter, Inc.

“Lynn’s advocacy is at the forefront of his activities everyday, and when faced with challenging housing projects or fear of opposition, you will often hear him say ‘if we don’t do this, who will?’” said Johnson.

NDHFA began recognizing Champions of Affordable Housing in 1995. The awards to real estate agents are presented during their annual conference in September.

For more information on the awards or other NDHFA programs, contact the Agency at (701) 328-8080, (800) 292-8621, (800) 366-6888 (TTY) or www.ndhfa.org.

The Industrial Commission of North Dakota, consisting of Governor John Hoeven, who serves as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, oversees the NDHFA.

Fargo, N.D. Bank of the West is investing $250,000 in the CommunityWorks North Dakota (CWND) DREAM Fund, the bank announced today. The bank's investment will provide assistance to North Dakotans to purchase, repair, and build housing through Bank of the West branches in Fargo, Cooperstown, Dickinson, Beach, Lidgerwood and Wahpeton.
Brad Rasmus, Executive Vice President and Midwest Division Executive for Bank of the West, said the bank is "proud to help North Dakotans achieve their dream of homeownership and improve their quality of life. We are committed to the communities we serve and are looking forward to filling the gaps that occur in residential financing, including appraisal gaps, downpayment and closing costs, and other mortgage financing for purchase or rehabilitation."

Bank of the West operates four branches in Fargo, and one branch in each of the communities of Cooperstown, Dickinson, Beach, Lidgerwood and Wahpeton.  
Bank of the West mortgage loan originators have attended training sessions sponsored by CWND in order to maximize opportunities for North Dakotans who qualify for funding. 
"The DREAM Fund provides financing that traditional lending programs cannot provide, and it is not limited to low income borrowers," said Paul Rechlin, Director, CWND.
The DREAM Fund has provided 423 loans and more than $9.7 million in financing since it began lending in August 2001. It has helped to contribute to more than $31.1 million in residential financing across the state, making possible $9.8 million in construction.

"Bank of the West's generous gift will help enable us to continue to improve the standard of living and quality of life for North Dakotans," said Rechlin.
About Bank of the West’s Community Support: Bank of the West is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations to help improve the social and economic health of the areas it serves.  As a result of Bank of the West's growth into new states and markets in 2005, the bank expanded its community support plan to provide $75 billion in loans, investments, contributions and services to lower income individuals and small businesses, companies in lower-income areas and community-based organizations throughout the bank's markets. The expanded goal extends through 2015.

FARGO, N.D., Jan. 2007 – The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation (WFHF) today announced its 2006 Focus Communities challenge grant resulted in a total of $277,292 in contributions that will help more than 20 low- and moderate-income Fargo families achieve the dream of home ownership.

From June through November 2006, WFHF contributed $1 for every dollar raised by CommunityWorks North Dakota — up to $50,000 — for its DREAM fund home ownership assistance program. During the Focus Communities campaign, CommunityWorks raised $227,292 in contributions.

“A contribution to help more Fargo families become homeowners is one of the best gifts we can make,” said Jeff Thomas, Community Banking president for Wells Fargo in Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo. “Successful communities have high levels of home ownership. Through Focus Communities, we are helping CommunityWorks begin its efforts in Fargo to increase home ownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families, and strengthen our communities.”

CommunityWorks is using Focus Communities contributions to launch its DREAM fund in Fargo — helping low- and moderate-income families purchase or repair their homes, through down payment and closing cost assistance and home improvement assistance programs. Started in Bismarck, the DREAM fund is now available in 29 North Dakota counties and on a limited basis in 9 additional counties.

 Focus Communities challenge grant

The Focus Communities challenge grant is designed to increase homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families in communities where less than 5 percent of the available housing is “affordable” — defined as housing where a low- to moderate-income family is not spending more than 30 percent of its gross monthly income on housing expenses.  The program helps community non-profit organizations broaden their base of financial support from businesses and organizations and reduce their dependency on the decreasing pool of government funds.

Wells Fargo Housing Foundation

The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, funded by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, was created to provide permanent solutions to homeownership needs in Wells Fargo communities nationwide.  Wells Fargo volunteers have built or renovated more than 2,000 homes since the foundation’s inception in 1993.  The Focus Communities initiative is one of many programs that demonstrate Wells Fargo Home Mortgage’s commitment to provide financial services to all communities.  

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo has 92 stores in North Dakota, South Dakota and western Minnesota and employs more than 4,400 team members throughout the region. Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $483 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance to more than 23 million customers from more than 6,100 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. has the highest possible credit rating, "Aaa," from Moody's Investors Service and the highest credit rating given to a U.S. bank, "AA+," from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is the nation's No. 1 retail mortgage lender and a leading servicer of home morgages.* As a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., it has a local presence in more than 2,400 mortgage stores and bank branches, plus the capabilities to serve the home financing needs of customers nationwide through its call centers, Internet presence and wholsale lending operations.  Wells Fargo Home Mortgage services loans for 7.5 million servicing customers.

*Based on year-end 2005 statistics compiled by Inside Mortgage Finance - Feb. 17, 2006