Submitted Photo Lisa Thuner of Town & Country Credit Union in Minot receives a Homeownership Performance Award, recognition for the volume and quality of loans produced, from Brandon Dettlaff, N.D. Housing Finance Agency’s Homeownership Division director.

BISMARCK – North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) recently recognized nine of its partners with Champion of Affordable Housing Awards for their outstanding promotion and delivery of its homeownership programs.

Lisa Thuner of Town & Country Credit Union in Minot was one of two loan officers to receive a Homeownership Performance Award, recognition for the volume and quality of loans produced. NDHFA also presented three real estate agents with the same award, including Karen Johnston of George & Associates Realty in Watford City.

Bremer Bank, Bravera Bank and The Union Bank all received NDHFA’s Award of Excellence for best practices and outstanding delivery of the agency’s homeownership programs. Unify Home Lending Inc. was honored with a Rising Star award, recognition of a financial institution new to the program for a significant increase in loan volume over the previous year.

“Historically low interest rates and a limited inventory made the housing market very competitive this past year,” said NDHFA Executive Director Dave Flohr. “North Dakota Housing Finance Agency helped 1,548 individuals and families to successfully purchase a home in 2021, all of the buyers learning about our homeownership programs from one of our outstanding housing partners.”

NDHFA’s FirstHome program provides low- to moderate-income buyers with low-cost mortgages, and down payment and closing cost assistance. Single parents, veterans, and families with disabled or elderly households members can qualify for similar help through HomeAccess. The agency’s North Dakota Roots program assists households who require down payment assistance to buy again or whose income exceeds the limits of the agency’s standard programs. The program can also be used to refinance residential real estate loans. Parties interested in NDHFA’s homeownership programs will find information online at www.ndhfa.org.