The Housing Alliance of North Dakota (HAND) is a statewide organization of individuals and housing and client service professionals. HAND’s mission is to ensure every North Dakotan’s access to a decent, safe, affordable, accessible place to live. Government bodies (local, state and national) play a critical role in establishing the legal and social environment within which services are provided to the residents of North Dakota. Recognizing the importance of government to its membership, HAND maintains an active public policy platform.

HAND advocates for government policies that:

• Reflect a philosophy that all North Dakotans are entitled access to a decent, safe, affordable and accessible place to live.
• Recognize affordable housing as a necessary component of economic development.
• Adhere to the “housing first” doctrine.
• Direct state and local resources to meet the housing needs of the state.
• Foster development of affordable housing for all communities across the state, both rural and urban.
• Support independent living to the extent it is fiscally and environmentally responsible.

With regard to the actions of government bodies in the policy areas listed above, HAND shall:

• Advocate for the adoption of a formal State housing policy that ensures decent, safe, affordable, accessible housing.
• Promote legislation that addresses the housing needs of citizens in North Dakota.
• Elevate awareness of executive and legislative actions and initiatives at the federal, state and local level.
• Inform decision-makers on the need for decent, safe, affordable, accessible housing.
• Provide timely updates to the membership on critical issues and actions.
• Orchestrate membership voices to influence action.
• Develop cooperative relationships with other like-minded organizations to ensure every North Dakotan’s access to a decent, safe, affordable, accessible place to live.