The South Dakota Senate Commerce and Energy Committee this morning (Thursday) passed a bill that allocates $150 million in housing infrastructure loans and grants.
A parade of business and housing lobbyists and state officials briefly testified in favor of the bill.
Their bottom line: South Dakota has a worker and housing crisis. They said the grant and loan program to be administered by the South Dakota Housing Development Authority is needed quickly.
Bill supporters say they can get Senate Bill 41 through the legislature by next week and put the bill on Gov. Noem’s desk for her signature.
They hope the SDHDA can start issuing loans and grants this spring before the housing construction season.
The bill passed 8 to 1. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Todd Epp, South Dakota Broadcasters Association, contributed this report.
