N.D. oil boom puts pressure on housing in Minnesota

Oil derrick workers
In this 2011 file photo, Austin Mitchell, left, and Ryan Lehto, worked on an oil derrick outside of Williston, N.D.
Gregory Bull/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Since the oil boom began in North Dakota, people have been moving to the area looking for work — only to find that while there is work, there is little or no housing. The homeless population in North Dakota and west-central Minnesota has increased greatly due to the massive influx of people. And for those who have housing, the cost is going up. As one advocate said, people in western North Dakota have money but no housing, while people to the east in Fargo/Moorhead have no housing and no money, either.

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