BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) recently awarded six Champions of Affordable Housing awards to loan officers, real estate agents, and lending institutions that promote its home ownership programs. The state agency provides individuals and families, primarily first-time buyers, with low-cost financing, down payment and closing cost assistance.

“NDHFA’s Champion Awards recognize and celebrate the work of the individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to provide North Dakotans with an affordable home,” said Dave Flohr, the agency’s executive director.

Two loan officers, Aaron Stoneberg of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Fargo and Greg Dean of First Class Mortgage in Fargo each received a Homeownership Performance Award, recognition for the volume and quality of loans produced. NDHFA also presented two real estate agents with the same award, Aruna G. Hagen of BHGRE Advantage One in West Fargo and Olivia Wellenstein of Continental Real Estate in Dickinson.

First International Bank & Trust and Gate City Bank received NDHFA’s Award of Excellence for best practices and outstanding delivery of the agency’s home ownership programs.

“In 2024, NDHFA helped 2,189 households purchase a home – first-time buyers, families who previously owned a home and needed assistance to buy again, and special needs households,” said Flohr. “All of the buyers learned about our home ownership programs from one of our outstanding housing partners.”

Parties interested in NDHFA’s home ownership programs will find information online at www.ndhfa.org.

NDHFA is a self-supporting and mission-driven state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Governor Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley, oversees the agency.