It's like taking the bad with the good.

oil activity in the western part of the state is good news for the economy.

The downside is many communities are having trouble finding places for workers.

Debbie Kuehn tells us how Tioga is handling the problem...

Not too long ago, Tioga school officials made a difficult decision... a decision to close one ot their elmentary schools. The reason...centered around a declining population. But today, people are returning to Tioga hoping to land a jobs in the oil field. And the problem now is there's no where for them to live.

(Elaine Nelson, Tioga Housing Authority) "Occassionally there's a home that comes up for sale, but then it's sold right immediately>"


Paul Slaamont/ Tioga Mayor-"There's so many new people in town. We hear every day that they're looking for places, but they just can't find places to live. So some will maybe drive from Williston or Minot or whatever."


Elaine)-"Are there people living in campers? Uh hm! And have all winter!"


That empty school is being rennovated into an apartment complex. And next door... workers are digging basements for four new houses thanks to a pilot program offered through the state Housing Finance Agency..

Paul- "Well, basically the city is backing up that loan to the tune of a $150 thousand guarantee.... $75-thousand from the EDC fund and $75 from our general fund. So we are backing it 100%."


Four homes won't meet all of the housing needs in Tioga... but officials say it is a good start...

Elaine-"It's a good start... yeah, but we'd like to move on and do a four-plex."


And if people have somewhere to hang their hat... it's likely Tioga's population could continue to grow...

leaving school officials with the challenge of makin room for more children. In Tioga, Debbie Kuehn K X News

The North Dakota Housing Agency program is limited to single family homes in less than 5-thousand people. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list