WHEELING, W.Va. -- An influx of Marcellus shale drilling workers is creating a housing shortage in Wheeling for residents who are eligible for federal rental assistance.

The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register reports that Wheeling Housing Authority officials discussed the problem Wednesday at a meeting of the agency's Board of Commissioners.

Wheeling has 382 rental units available for residents who are eligible for Section 8 vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Authority Executive Director Randall Geese says that's down by about 10 from a year ago.

Geese says gas and oil drilling workers can pay an inflated amount for rent and there's a high demand for long-term housing. That's making it difficult to find new rental units for Section 8-eligible residents.