Tribune editorial: Affordable housing gets big boost

This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Affordable housing in Bismarck has received a big boost with the opening of the federally funded Century View Apartments project. The $11.2 million complex was developed in partnership between Lewis & Clark Development Group, Billings-based CR Builders and the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency. It consists of three two-story buildings with a combined total of 40 units. The majority of them will only be available to people who make 60% or less of the area median income. That's a positive, given that nearly 10% of Bismarck residents live below the poverty line. And the Bismarck Community Development Department hosted a forum in June that identified a lack of affordable housing as a major contributor to homelessness. The Century View Apartments appears to be another step toward finding solutions.

Prison overcrowding is becoming a big issue in North Dakota. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says it has reached its "maximum operational capacity," and the agency has begun prioritization of prisoners. That essentially means Corrections can refuse to accept some inmates sentenced to its custody. And that could put a big strain on county jails. Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben says if prisoner populations continue to rise, staffing levels at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center in Bismarck become a concern. In Cass County, home to Fargo, there's a similar worry, and Sheriff Jesse Jahner says if the situation continues for any length of time it could diminish public safety. That's troubling, though state Corrections Director Colby Braun says public safety continues to be the department's top priority.

A popular bar on Bismarck's north edge has reopened after a monthlong hiatus. Crossroads Tavern has a new owner - Ryan Deichert, a part-owner of several bars in the Bismarck-Mandan area - and he has worked to address concerns identified by county commissioners who rejected a liquor license renewal for the previous owners. That was due to issues the bar ran into with law enforcement. The bar now has new parking lot lights, ID scanners and increased security. The bar still has a 2 a.m. closing time - an hour later than other bars in the area. And County Commissioner Brian Bitner is right when he says that increases DUI concerns. But overall it would seem a positive that a local business popular with patrons is back in business, and working to do things the right way.

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has announced health insurance rate changes approved for next year for individual and small group plans compliant with the Affordable Care Act. And the news isn't good. He says it's the first time in his nearly eight years as insurance commissioner that all health insurance plans purchased on the market will see increased premiums. He says the pool of insurance funds is being drained at an unsustainable pace because of the rising cost of health care. Anyone who has had medical issues knows the bite that can take out of a family budget, even with insurance coverage. The upward track that insurance premiums are on is truly concerning.