New Law Enforcement Housing In Dickinson - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

New Law Enforcement Housing In Dickinson

A $2.5 million contribution by Marathon Oil to the North Dakota housing incentive fund, is helping break ground on affordable housing for law enforcement.

We take you to Dickinson to show you a new project that will house Law Enforcement employees, and for them these new complexes couldn't come soon enough.

Where there's oil, there are people, and that statement couldn't be more true for the city of Dickinson.

"It's a good challenge for everybody, but it's a challenge we can meet and we are meeting it," Governor Jack Dalrymple said.

That challenge, providing those coming to work in North Dakota, a place to live.

Soon a new apartment complex will sit on this land.

The new 24 unit building will designate some space *just for Law Enforcement.

"This particular project will have eight units for Law Enforcement with the combination of county sheriff staff as well as city police staff," Jolene Kline with North Dakota Housing said.

Deputy Shane Holtz is one of those working in Dickinson, but having a tough time finding a place to live.

"The oil field workers make a lot of money, and a lot of the rates are based on that income, and the general public living here that doesn't work for the oil companies, it's hard for everyone living here to find housing," Deputy Shane Holtz said.

Currently Holtz is living in a camper that he purchased when he moved here to Dickinson, cause he couldn't find a place to live, that's why he's hoping he can get into one of these units so that him and his family will have a place to call home.

"And we're expecting a baby, so the sooner I can get her out here the better," Holtz said.

His wife currently lives in San Diego, and he doesn't want her to have to live in a camper, he wants to have a home where they can build their family.

"She knows how bad I wanted this job, I've wanted to be in Law Enforcement for quite a while, so she decided she'd be willing to make the sacrifice to move out here if I get the job, so very supportive," Holtz said.

So with more projects like these, those coming to work in North Dakota from across the country, will have one less thing to worry about.

The new Patterson Heights complex is expected to be complete by February 2013, with tenants able to move in starting in March.