Fargo Mayor Forms Rental Housing Advisory Council

The new body aims to address renter needs and improve communication between landlords and tenants in the city.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Apartments

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a stylized house merged with geometric forms, representing Fargo's new rental housing policy council. — Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee has established a new advisory council to address rental affordability and improve housing communication in the city. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee has established a new advisory council tasked with improving rental housing policies and landlord-renter relations. The group, comprised of over 20 community stakeholders, will hold its inaugural meeting on November 4, 2026.

Why it matters

Renters constitute a majority of the Fargo population, and a significant portion of these households spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. This council seeks to mitigate financial burdens and address housing instability as the city faces a long-term deficit in total housing units.

Between 54% and 56% of Fargo residents are renters, while 66% of households identified as economically burdened in the city rent their homes. The median monthly rent in the city is approximately $900.

The players

Josh Boschee

He is the Mayor of Fargo who initiated the formation of the city's new advisory council on rental housing.

F-M Metropolitan Council of Governments

This regional planning agency conducted the 2023 study that identified Fargo's long-term housing production goals.

The details

The council intends to reduce evictions and establish a formal rental registry to replace the city's current informal system. Meetings are scheduled to occur on the second Wednesday of each month, with the group aiming to complete its objectives within five to six sessions.

2023: F-M Metropolitan Council of Governments housing study published.
Late September 2026: City held a listening session for housing stakeholders.
October 26, 2026: Council chairs discussed goals with The Forum.
November 4, 2026: First council meeting scheduled.
2030: Target year for 15,900 new housing units.

Culture Shift

The council's formation follows the projected housing deficit outlined in the 2023 F-M Metropolitan Council of Governments housing study. This initiative marks a broader local shift toward formalizing rental oversight to address rapid urban growth and affordability challenges.

Renters may see changes to landlord-tenant mediation processes and the eventual implementation of a formal rental registry. These efforts aim to stabilize housing costs and improve the quality of rental relationships for the majority of the city's population.

The takeaway

This new council provides a structured platform for residents to influence city housing policy and resolve disputes outside of the court system. Renters are encouraged to monitor upcoming meeting agendas to track how mediation and registry proposals may affect their current housing status.