North Dakota lawmakers mull bill to keep rents affordable

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers are considering a measure that would provide more funds to a program that uses subsidies to increase housing availability and keep rents affordable.

The Housing Incentive Fund was created in 2011 to help retain essential service workers whose rents rose too high because of the oil boom.

Lawmakers are debating whether to inject $10 million or $40 million into the fund. The current version of the bill allows for $10 million in appropriations.

The Minot Daily News reports that the measure passed in the Senate and is pending a committee vote in the House.

North Dakota housing authorities say with $40 million in additional funding, the agency could create 800 more housing units across the state over the next two years.

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Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com