The president of the National Association of Home Builders told industry officials in Fargo that North Dakota needs to continue doing what it has been doing in order to make it through the home-financing crisis.

Jerry Howard says the state has been able to avoid many of the problems seen nationally because housing is affordable and lending practices have been sound but not too restrictive. Howard would like a lame-duck session of Congress to approve a housing stimulus package that will help the faltering economy.

- Associated Press