ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses housing challenges in five communities in western North Dakota (Williston, Dickinson, Belfield, Ray and Watford City) and three communities in northwestern South Dakota (Belle Fourche, Lemmon and Buffalo) as they relate to population and economic growth accompanying rapid shale oil development. It outlines a timeline of housing development in oil impacted communities across the Bakken region along with a discussion of the social, economic and structural factors affecting housing availability and affordability. In addition, an assessment of rental and home mortgage options for public service employees in North and South Dakota is provided. Increased financial resources for these initiatives would yield much-needed additional grants and low-interest home mortgage loans. Although some public service employees in the communities may be able to afford the inflated regional monthly mortgage costs, an associated challenge is having the financial capacity to meet initial down payment requirements.