The state Senate has approved a change in the state housing incentive fund.
And a state Senator says he hopes this will get local governments out of the housing business.
The bill says the fund should first concentrate on encouraging housing construction for essential service workers in the oil patch. Sen. Dwight Cook (R-Mandan) says the housing shortage there has prompted local governments to purchase housing for teachers, police officers and other government workers.
“The intent of this bill now is to get our political subdivisions out of the housing business," said Cook. "They shouldn't be in it.”
The fund’s second priority will be for affordable housing for low and moderate income families.
The measure now goes to the Governor for signature.
