BISMARCK, N.D. (PNS) – People losing their house or becoming evicted remains a big concern during the pandemic.

But even before the crisis, the cost of staying in a home was emerging as the most pressing need among low-income North Dakotans. That’s detailed in a new report from a non-profit, the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota. In 2006, when it last issued its needs assessment, food insecurity topped the list of concerns submitted by marginalized residents. This month, the group has released an updated report, and affordable housing now tops the list.

Executive Director Andrea Olson says that need is very specific.

The study says nearly 60 percent of low-income respondents suggested they need help paying their rent. The report’s authors say while the pandemic might impact the findings, they did begin collecting data more than a year ago, indicating the issue has been building for some time. Olson says rents are especially higher in western North Dakota, suggesting the oil boom might have played a part.

The university’s Yao Yu also led the report. He says the numbers they gathered match up with the written responses when describing specific needs.

Nearly 35-hundred people across North Dakota participated in the report’s survey. Community Action Partnership says it hopes policymakers take note of the findings. The information also will be shared with other non-profits, as well as human service agencies.

Even though hunger no longer tops the list, preliminary Census findings and many aid groups say the need has grown significantly since the pandemic started.