Vision West – Mercer County Housing Presented by Buster Langowski Hazen Community Development

MCED Membership Industry Representatives West River Telecommunications MDU Coyote Station Dakota Westmoreland Great River Energy Roughrider Electric Dakota Gasification Antelope Valley Station Coteau Properties Coyote Creek Basin Transload

MCED Membership Continued City / County Updates Stanton Pick City Hazen Beulah Zap Mercer County Golden Valley Coal Country Health/Sakakawea Medical Center

Tetra Tech Housing Study Pledges Made/Requested October 2014 Organization Pledge Requested Pledge Made Payment Basin Electric$10, Dakota Gasification$10, Coyote Creek $2, Coteau$10,000.00$5, Coyote Station$5,000.00$2, City of Golden Valley$ Dakota Westmoreland$2, MDU$2, Great River Energy$2, City of Beulah$10, City of Hazen$10,000.00$5, City of Zap$1, City of Stanton$1, City of Pick City$ Mercer County$10, RoughRider Electric$5, $1, West River Telephone$5,000.00$1, Sakakawea Medical Center$5,000.00$3, Coal Country Clinic$5,000.00$2, Beulah JDA$5, Beulah Chamber $1, HDC$5, Union State Bank$2, $ The Union Bank$2, First Security Bank West$2, $ Beulah Parks and Rec $1, Beulah CVB $ Total$111,500.00$69,500.00$76,250.00

Current Housing and Child Care Needs Data Collected Came From U. S. Census Bureau Interviews with Stakeholders Desktop Data Previously Published Reliable Housing and Child Care Reports

Mercer County Population of 8,592 Beulah Hazen Stanton Zap Golden Valley Pick City

The County has a Stable Economy Energy Mining Agricultural Seasonal Recreation and Tourism

Hotel Information Typically not included in a housing demand study One was done and it was included in Executive Summary because this product is perceived by large energy providers to be a necessary commodity to assist in meeting their staff and construction workforce temporary housing demand.

Mercer County’s Housing Supply Has not kept up with demand Increased by 193 units between Rental Units in the County with 86% in Hazen and Beulah Vacancy rates vary between zero percent to 15 percent by community

Mercer County’s Housing Stock Single-Family Detached Home Duplexes Townhomes Apartments Between 2000 & 2010 MC housing stock increased less than 1% (33 units), which reflects low to moderate growth

Renter Demographics Mix of Construction Workers Singles Young Families Retirees/senior Citizens

Mercer County Housing is Aging 88% of the stock is greater than 25 years old 86% of owner-occupied units 95% of rental units Owner-occupied units average about $113,600 per unit Median rent in the county is approximately $523 per month and going up.

Hotel Information 359 Rooms located in Mercer County Average size is 44 Rooms Many hotel owners report zero vacancy rates during peak construction periods (Spring, Summer, & Fall) Room rates vary from $40 to $165/night Nat. average vacancy rates range between 35% to 45% An additional 140 rooms could be used in Mercer County

Two Prong Approach for Results Review of existing studies such as 2012 ND Statewide Housing Needs Assessment U. S. Census data and Interviews with stakeholders, employers with the county, home builders, and apartment and hotel owners and property managers.

Years 2015, 2020, and 2025

Building Types by Community

Apartment-Style Housing is Required Need for single & multi-family households & construction workers seeking short-term housing. Construction workers, especially during extended stays, prefer the comforts and affordability of an apartment versus a hotel

Room Types A mix of one, two and three- bedroom, two- bath units should be built with two-bedrooms being the majority of the units. There is a strong demand for additional hotel rooms in Mercer County.

Child Care A service that is necessary for families to work and live, the shortage of affordable child care may be Mercer County’s growth, much as the deficiency in housing is doing in the county. Child care options are often near the top of the list when young families consider relocation.

Child Care Vacancy Rate The county has an estimated deficiency of 291 child care spaces for children The demand for this service is expected to increase as the population of those in child bearing years increases: 20.8% by 2025.

Child Care Continued Availability Affordability Quality These need to become the focal point of child care development in Mercer County. Young families will not move or work in a place that does not offer reliable child care.

Key Findings Population is projected to grow 6% between 2010 and Growth has been suppressed by the shortage of affordable housing, child care, and secondary jobs for a spouse Counties population is aging with projected 52% increase in residents over the age of 65 between 2010 and 2025.

Key Findings Continued There is a trend for this age group to retire in place, which will add to the housing deficiency. This creates a demand for a different housing product tailored for Senior Housing The age group projected to increase by 21% but if housing and adequate child care were available, growth may exceed projections.

Key Findings Continued Under 25 age is expected to grow by 13% between after experiencing a 20.8% decline from 2000 to If Mercer County hopes to retain and attract this age group, newer home and community amenities will need to be built. Shifting markets will drive the housing demand as 52% of the occupants will be over 65 years of age.

Key Findings Continued Mercer County housing stock is aging. Many interviewed indicated they would consider upgrading their homes as newer one become available. Available housing is a strong selling point when employers are weighing two options for possible new locations. There is a demand for senior housing.

More Findings Continued Seniors want the freedom to travel and be away for an extended period of time. Seniors interviewed prefer to remain living in the county if other housing options were available to offset the current cost of maintenance and improve access to healthcare and extended family.

Key Findings Continued There is a need for additional community services and amenities such as retail options and restaurants. More services translates into more tax base and job creation. Projected population growth will place a further demand on already insufficient child care resources.

Contact Information Buster Langowski Hazen Community Development PO Box 717 Hazen, ND (Cell)

Contact Information John Phillips Lutheran Social Services 120 Central Ave. PO Box 910 Beulah, ND (cell)