About the Grand Forks Housing Authority (GFHA)
At the GFHA, we are dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for all residents of Grand Forks County. Our work began in 1967 with a declaration from Mayor Hugo Magnusson stating the need in our community for an agency that develops and maintains affordable housing while strengthening our local neighborhoods. The Housing Choice Voucher program and our project-based apartment complexes have roots in virtually all areas of our community and continue to be a vital player in the local efforts to help end homelessness and assist families in their pursuit of self-sufficiency. Over the past twenty years our mission has expanded to include a Family Self-Sufficiency program, resident service coordination, creation of Grand Forks Community Land Trust (www.gfclt.org), development of a Housing First - Permanent Supportive Housing facility to Grand Forks with LaGrave on First, the development of Jackson Flats for people 62+ years, and most recently opening The Nest on Fourth a low-barrier emergency shelter for adult individuals .
Our work would not be possible without the vast partnerships we have in Grand Forks County. While there are too many organizations to name, the majority of our work is done with Grand Forks Homes, Inc., a local nonprofit corporation started in 1971 as a collaboration of eight churches with the common goal of housing those in need. The eight member churches of Grand Forks Homes are: Augustana Lutheran, Calvary Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. Mark’s Lutheran, St. Mary’s Catholic, St. Michael’s Catholic, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and United Lutheran. The membership of these churches is nearly 15,000 people, or approximately 30% of Grand Forks’ population.
The Grand Forks Housing Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners who have been appointed by the Mayor of Grand Forks.
Board of Commissioners
GFHA Board of Commissioners Meetings are held at the GFHA Main Office and open to the public. GFHA Board Meeting dates for 2026:
Our work would not be possible without the vast partnerships we have in Grand Forks County. While there are too many organizations to name, the majority of our work is done with Grand Forks Homes, Inc., a local nonprofit corporation started in 1971 as a collaboration of eight churches with the common goal of housing those in need. The eight member churches of Grand Forks Homes are: Augustana Lutheran, Calvary Lutheran, First Presbyterian, St. Mark’s Lutheran, St. Mary’s Catholic, St. Michael’s Catholic, St. Paul’s Episcopal, and United Lutheran. The membership of these churches is nearly 15,000 people, or approximately 30% of Grand Forks’ population.
The Grand Forks Housing Authority is governed by a Board of Commissioners who have been appointed by the Mayor of Grand Forks.
Board of Commissioners
- Joan Johnson, Chair
- Bret Weber, Vice Chair
- Tricia Berg
- Kimisean Liggett
- Jennifer Tarlin
GFHA Board of Commissioners Meetings are held at the GFHA Main Office and open to the public. GFHA Board Meeting dates for 2026:
- Thursday, February 5th at 11:30am
- Thursday, March 5th at 11:30am
- Thursday, April 2nd at 11:30am
- Thursday, May 7th at 11:30am
- Thursday, June 4th at 11:30am
- Thursday, July 2nd at 11:30am
- Thursday, August 6th at 11:30am
- Thursday, September 3th at 11:30am
- Thursday, October 1st at 11:30am
- Thursday, November 5th at 11:30am
- Thursday, December 3rd at 11:30am
Quick Look
- GFHA is a Bush Foundation Prize for Innovation winner (2015) View our story here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTM0pr-8b-8
- We have a variety of programs for all citizens of Grand Forks County, regardless of their income
- At the GFHA, we provide rental assistance for over 2,200 families each month
- Over $11.5 Million is contributed to the local economy annually through housing assistance payments to local landlords through our housing choice voucher program
- GFHA's housing assistance programs are funded entirely at the federal and state level, taking no local tax dollars
- Over the last decade our Family Self-Sufficiency Program has assisted hundreds of families and saved assistance programs nearly $1.5 million in the areas of food stamps, TANF, and housing assistance
