Press Release | June 23, 2025
Announcing New Housing Technical Assistance Program
The Northland Foundation is introducing a three-year initiative to support housing development efforts in rural northeast Minnesota and neighboring Native nations.
Funding for this opportunity is being administered by the Foundation as allocated through the 2023 session of the Minnesota Legislature, authored by former Representative Dave Lislegard and Senator Grant Hauschild, and is governed by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
Local firm North Shore Development Co. (NSDC) has been selected to provide technical assistance at no charge to cities or other municipalities, counties, EDAs, or other governmental units to help assess, plan for, and develop housing. NSDC’s founder Jason Hale and project manager Theresa Bajda have a combined 21 years of experience in housing, project management, zoning, and local government processes.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION OPENS JULY 1
NSDC will begin accepting applications for technical assistance starting July 1, 2025, at www.northshoredevelopmentco.com/assistance. Entities eligible to apply include:
- A city, county, housing and redevelopment authority, or economic development authority within in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis counties.
- A governing body within one of the following Tribal nations: the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I), and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (District II)
Examples of services include advising and providing education to municipal leadership and communities on different types of housing and corresponding financial implications, how to effectively address community buy-in, development and use of housing studies, identification of appropriate development sites, zoning practices, development incentives, financial resources such as grants or establishing local housing trust funds, and strategies to connect with potential developers.
VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON INFORMATION SESSIONS
Three initial information sessions—one online and two in person—are scheduled to explain the program and answer questions. Those interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance HERE.
- Virtual session: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This session will also be recorded and available on NSDC’s website afterward.
- Chisholm session: Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Office, 1003 Discovery Dr, Chisholm, MN 55719.
- Cloquet session: Thursday, July 17, 2025, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library, 320 14th St, Cloquet, MN 55720.
“We need more housing in our region in order for our communities to thrive into the future. Through this state-funded program, we hope to come alongside local communities to support their next steps in addressing their housing needs,” stated Tony Sertich, President of the Northland Foundation.
“NSDC has a demonstrated understanding of housing opportunities and challenges in our region,” said Sertich. “They have a solid track record of supporting our communities and developers with successful development projects and programs.”
The intake form to apply and important program details are found on the North Shore Development Co. website at www.northshoredevelopmentco.com/assistance.