What the Grand Forks Housing Authority does

The Grand Forks Housing Authority (GFHA) is a public agency that manages public housing and rental vouchers in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They own and operate apartment buildings, administer the Section 8 voucher program, and handle waitlists for both. If you live in Grand Forks and need affordable rental housing, GFHA is the body you contact directly — not a state office or national program.

GFHA serves households that meet income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agency does not set those limits itself; HUD does, and they change yearly. GFHA's job is to verify your income, manage your lease, collect rent, and maintain the buildings or oversee voucher payments to private landlords.

The Authority operates two main programs: public housing (apartments GFHA owns) and the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8, which pays part of your rent at a private landlord's property). You explore to one or both, and GFHA places you on a waitlist. Waitlists can be open or closed depending on demand and funding.

Key Takeaways

  • Grand Forks Housing Authority manages both public housing units it owns and Section 8 vouchers that pay rent at private landlords.
  • You must meet HUD income limits, which vary by household size and change each year; GFHA staff can tell you the current limits when you contact them.
  • Both programs use waitlists, and you must explore directly to GFHA — there is no online process or central portal.
  • Once you are housed, GFHA collects your rent contribution (usually 30 percent of your income) and handles lease enforcement and maintenance.
  • Contact GFHA directly by phone or in person to learn whether waitlists are open and what documents you need to bring.

How to contact Grand Forks Housing Authority

GFHA is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The best way to reach them is by phone during business hours. You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions about waitlist status.

When you call or visit, have your Social Security number, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), and a list of household members ready. GFHA staff will tell you whether the waitlist for public housing or Section 8 is open, how long the wait typically is, and what documents you need to submit with your process.

If you cannot reach GFHA directly, you can also contact the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency or call 211 (a statewide referral line) and ask for the phone number and hours for Grand Forks Housing Authority.

Public housing: GFHA-owned apartments

Public housing means apartments that GFHA owns and operates. You rent directly from the Authority. Your monthly rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, with a minimum rent (usually $50 to $100 per month, depending on GFHA policy). GFHA covers utilities, maintenance, and building operations from the rent you pay and federal funding.

To be considered for public housing, your household income must fall below the HUD limit for your area and household size. GFHA will verify your income using recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements. If you are unemployed, they will ask for proof of job search or documentation of why you cannot work.

Once you are on the waitlist, GFHA will contact you when a unit becomes available. The wait can range from a few months to several years, depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units turn over. You can call GFHA to ask your position on the waitlist, though they may not give exact numbers.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, is different from public housing. GFHA gives you a voucher (a subsidy) that you take to a private landlord. The voucher pays a portion of your rent; you pay the rest (usually 30 percent of your income). The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and meet HUD housing quality standards.

Income limits for Section 8 are the same as for public housing. GFHA will verify your income the same way. Once you receive a voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days, depending on GFHA policy) to find a landlord who will accept it. If you cannot find one in that time, you may lose the voucher.

Section 8 waitlists are often longer than public housing waitlists because more people want vouchers than GFHA has funding for. Some years GFHA opens the waitlist for a few weeks; other years it stays closed. Call GFHA to ask the current status.

Income limits and what counts as income

HUD sets income limits each year for every county. For Grand Forks, the limits depend on your household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. GFHA uses the current year's HUD limits to decide whether you are within range.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular money coming into your household. GFHA will ask for recent documentation: pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, and benefit letters if you receive Social Security or unemployment.

Some income does not count: child care subsidies, food stamps (SNAP), and certain education grants are excluded. If you are unsure whether a source of income counts, ask GFHA when you explore. They will tell you what documents to bring.

The process process and what to bring

You explore in person at GFHA's office. There is no online process. When you go, bring a photo ID, your Social Security number, and proof of income for all household members. If you are unemployed, bring proof of job search or a letter explaining why you cannot work.

You will also need to list all people living in your household, including children and any non-relatives. GFHA will run a background check and verify your income. They may also contact previous landlords to ask about your rental history.

The process itself takes about 30 minutes to complete. GFHA will tell you on the spot whether you meet income limits. If you do, you will be placed on the waitlist. If you do not, you will be told why and may be able to reapply later if your circumstances change.

Background checks and rental history

GFHA will check your criminal history and rental history before offering you housing. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions (especially drug-related or violent crimes) may. GFHA must follow HUD guidelines, which allow them to deny housing for crimes committed within a certain timeframe, but they also have discretion to consider the circumstances and how long ago the crime occurred.

GFHA will also contact previous landlords. They are looking for a history of paying rent on time and following lease terms. If you have been evicted, that will show up. Again, an eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but it will be a factor in GFHA's decision.

If GFHA denies you, they must give you a written reason. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the decision. Ask GFHA for details about the hearing process if you are denied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get housed after I explore?

That depends on the waitlist. For public housing, you might wait months or years. For Section 8, the wait is often longer. Once a unit or voucher becomes available and GFHA calls you, you usually have 10 to 30 days to move in (for public housing) or to find a landlord (for Section 8). Call GFHA to ask the current average wait time.

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waitlists. If you receive a voucher first, you can still stay on the public housing waitlist. If you are offered public housing, you can decline the voucher or keep it as backup. Ask GFHA how their policy works when you explore.

What if my income goes up after I move in?

GFHA will recertify your income every year. If your income rises above the limit, you may be asked to leave or your rent may increase. However, some programs allow a gradual phase-out period. Ask GFHA about their recertification and income-limit policies.

Can I move to a different unit if I am already in public housing?

That depends on GFHA policy. Some housing authorities allow transfers within their portfolio; others do not. Ask your lease manager or call GFHA's main office to learn whether transfers are an option.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

GFHA will consider your full history, not just the fact that a record exists. Older crimes and evictions are weighed less heavily than recent ones. If you are denied, you can request a hearing to explain your circumstances. GFHA must follow HUD rules, but they have some discretion in how they explore them.