DICKINSON — ABLE, Inc., a longstanding nonprofit supporting people with disabilities in southwest North Dakota, recently purchased three apartment buildings in northwest Dickinson — a move that marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to provide stable housing to the individuals it serves. However, the purchase has also raised questions among some community members about regulatory compliance, community integration, and long-term implications for public housing access.
On March 1, ABLE, Inc. acquired three residential buildings formerly owned by Sullivan Companies. For the past several years, two of the buildings had already been used to house people with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported by the nonprofit. The properties, built in 2015, were developed in part through a partnership between ABLE, Inc. and Sullivan Companies, and designed with accessibility and independence in mind.
Jim Sullivan, owner of Sullivan Companies, said the buildings were constructed with input from ABLE, Inc. Executive Director Mary Anderson to better meet the needs of tenants.
“There were grant funds from the North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund that were used to make the building handicapped accessible,” Sullivan said. “Mary had the knowledge and grantwriting skills to make that happen.”
Housing Stability and Independence
ABLE, Inc. supports roughly 100 individuals across several counties and currently operates six of North Dakota’s 105 Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IIDs), according to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. These facilities provide 24-hour support and are partially funded by Medicaid.
“Good housing is a huge concern of ABLE, Inc.,” Anderson said. “Roughly 99 percent of the people we support need affordable housing.”
Anderson, who joined ABLE, Inc. in 1985 as its first nurse, said that housing design — down to features like private bedrooms and ADA-compliant bathrooms — plays a critical role in quality of life and personal agency for individuals with disabilities. The nonprofit transitioned away from traditional group homes in part due to frequent interpersonal conflicts and a lack of autonomy, she said.
Historical Context and Legal Protections
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ABLE, Inc. was founded in the wake of a major legal reform movement to deinstitutionalize care for people with developmental disabilities. In 1982, a federal court ordered the Grafton State School — then North Dakota’s primary institution for people with disabilities — to either meet humane standards or transition residents to other facilities. The ruling followed a class-action lawsuit citing abuse, coercive treatment, and poor living conditions.
Nationally, Medicaid-funded home and community-based services (HCBS) are governed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which emphasize the importance of non-institutional housing models that prioritize individual choice, privacy and community engagement. These standards prohibit arrangements that could isolate individuals or that deviate from integrated community life.
“We purchased these buildings to protect the stability of the people who have already been living there for up to ten years,” said Anderson. “The change in ownership of the property is not creating interruptions in the day-to-day lives of any of the tenants.”
The recent ABLE, Inc. property acquisitions triggered a state-level review to ensure compliance with HCBS rules. According to documentation reviewed by The Dickinson Press, the apartments — while initially flagged for some non-compliant items — were ultimately approved in a March 4, 2025 follow-up report, which found all deficiencies had been addressed.
The review noted, however, that “a further review may be necessary if there are changes not identified in this review or if DD client tenancy increases,” and emphasized that the buildings must remain open to the general public to avoid classification as institutional or isolating settings.
Community Questions and Future Oversight
While the purchase itself aligns with ABLE’s long-standing housing strategy, it has drawn scrutiny from some residents and observers who worry about the concentration of vulnerable populations in a single development and whether the arrangement aligns with federal expectations around housing integration.
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Federal guidance issued by CMS in 2014 emphasizes that housing for individuals with disabilities must be “integrated in and support full access to the greater community” and that residents must “have the freedom and support to control their own schedules and activities.”
ABLE, Inc. maintains that these standards are being met and Anderson said the apartments are not exclusively occupied by ABLE clients at this time.
“This was always about stability, safety and choice for the people we support,” she said. “We want them to live as independently as anyone else and we are committed to offering them safety and excellence.”
Despite assurances, concerns persist — particularly as the state continues to navigate compliance with evolving federal mandates. As North Dakota lawmakers and disability advocates monitor the expansion of Medicaid-funded housing models, the Dickinson acquisitions may serve as a case study in the balance between specialized care and community integration.
More information about federal HCBS guidelines can be found through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ABLE, Inc. is licensed through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Plans are underway for future press coverage of ABLE, Inc.’s operations.
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