ROLLA — The Rolette County Housing Authority has received a $515,000 North Dakota Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate two low-income apartment buildings in Rolla.

“This is a nice start,” said Lyman Bercier, executive director of the Rolette County Housing Authority.

Bercier said the total cost of the project will be about $1.8 million. The housing authority will be applying for other funding sources.

The San Haven apartments on the west edge of Rolla are in dire need of updates and modernization, said Bercier. Work will include new siding, windows, doors, a security system, a paved parking lot, plumbing and other upgrades.

The work on the projects could begin by next spring.

Bercier said about 16 families, or 40 to 50 people, will need to temporarily relocate during work on the buildings. The Housing Authority has vacant units in other locations, including Dunseith and Rolette, where some families might be able to move temporarily. Others might choose to go elsewhere. Once the plan is formalized and funds are in place, the tenants will be notified and a meeting will be held. The Rolette County Housing Authority will work with tenants to provide information and will help them find places to go, said Bercier.

Bercier said obtaining the grant was a team effort and the result of a great deal of work. They are pleased to obtain a grant on a project that will help improve living conditions for residents, he said.