Two years ago , in the throes of a housing shortage driven by the Bakken oil boom, the Williston Herald called for rent control in an editorial.
“It has been well-established that rent control is illegal in the state of North Dakota, but it is also gaining momentum from residents and activists seeking change,” the paper wrote. “It may be time for the state to step outside of its comfort zone in the way many of its residents have been forced to do. It may be time for the state to think outside the box and consider some sort of rent control to support its long-time residents until the market is reeled back to reality.”
There was also a Democratic candidate for the Legislature from the Williston area who made rent control part of her campaign platform , though she ultimately dropped out of the race before election day. Also, rent control policies were never instituted.
