Candice Huffman, Minot
I am writing in regards to the Rebuild and Retain grants, the Bank of North Dakota Loans and Flood Recovery Fund that are all only available to those who owned a home. I feel this is discrimination to those of us who were renting homes.
Last time I checked being a pre-flood renter myself, it wasn't just homeowners who lost their homes, it was renters alike. We were all in the same flood but we don't all fall into the same catogory for assistance from the flood.
I don't see how anyone can justify that only people who owned a home should need finanical assistance. Was there not already an affordable housing shortage, and what was available was with astronomical rent.
The kindness and generousity of all those who donated to the flood recovery fund is very much appreciated, even by those of us who never received any of it because we were renters.
They keep talking about and print articles about all this money avaliable to help homeowners. When does the help for the renters start? Oh that's right, we rented, so it doesn't matter if we want to rebuild and retain our lives in Minot, we didn't own a home prior to the flood.
So much for wanting to help the community, last time I checked people who rented were part of the community or at least we were until the flood.