BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — To Lorraine Davis, Native American homelessness isn't just about not having a house. It's about not having a home — a home for their culture, their health, and their way of life. "It's really a tough life when you don't know who you are," says Davis. "And you're trying to assimilate into white mainstream society, and you're trying to fit in when you know you never really do. And how am I to teach my kids if I don't know who I am?" Davis is the CEO and founder of Native Inc. and the Native American Development Center, both located in Bismarck. The two organizations provide different services to help remedy housing issues in Native American communities. Yesterday, Native Inc. released its first report on the need for urban housing for Native Americans. And right now, Davis says that need is great. "The housing needs amongst Native Americans in North Dakota is the highest need out of all needs that we see," says Davis. "I would say that it's about 90% of everything that we're doing. It's 90% of the need amongst Native Americans in North Dakota." For Native Americans living in cities like Bismarck or Minot, unemployment rates are sky high. In fact, they're more than double those of the general population. And even when Native Americans find employment, the lack of affordable housing in urban areas causes rent to take up a disproportionate amount of their income. "Rental assistance program is the main driver of all of our programs," Davis said. "It's the primary program." But it's not just a lack of employment that's an issue. The report says that landlords are far less likely to rent out to Native Americans because of implicit bias or even blatant racism. Prospective Native American renters may also have to undergo more screening than other races. This includes criminal background checks, higher application and security deposit fees, and more. North Dakota Health and Human Services looking for input on new Medicaid strategy "We feel it. We feel it," says Davis. "There's a bias there, and a lot of our people that come through for our services, for example, are treated like second class citizens. We have learned that there has to be more work done in that space. You know, really kind of holding landlords accountable to treating everybody who's applying and the screening process fairly." That's why, Davis says, her organizations exist. These organizations look to address the issue of homelessness in a holistic way because Davis says that finding housing isn't just about finding a physical place to stay; it's about feeling safe. "It's all a very important part for us to sustain our culture and increase our confidence to live in this mainstream society," Davis said. Davis' organizations currently provide programs for workforce training, cultural and spiritual education, and financial literacy. She says they're also looking to build an entire affordable housing unit near the Native American Development Center in Bismarck with social services provided in the building. "I think that's what makes Native Inc. really unique is that we do take a holistic approach in our services," Davis said. "We know that one person has whole person needs, right? Or the other way that it's referred to as within behavioral health is person-centered." And after so much cultural oppression and diffusion, Davis hopes that programs like these will allow Native American people to find themselves again. "We're trying to integrate into modern society and trying to have stableness in our lives," says Davis. "And that's what's really unique about Native Inc. and the Native American Development Center. Its social and economic approach helps stabilize Native American and all other people we serve." You can donate to the cause of solving Native American homelessness here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW