An apartment building under construction on June 13, 2023, in eastern Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)
WASHINGTON (KFGO) – The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved what supporters are calling the most significant housing legislation in nearly two decades.
The package of bills, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, represents the first comprehensive national legislation to build more housing since the 2008 financial crisis.
“Well for generations right, achieving the American dream was symbolized by owning a home and its become increasingly out of reach for many Americans. Largely because there’s just not enough homes, there’s a supply shortage in the communities across out country,” North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer said.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes two provisions authored by Cramer to address the home appraisal workforce shortage and streamline inspections for new landlords to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program. North Dakotans have experienced an average wait time of 21 days for home appraisals. The national average is between six to nine days.
“Housing is one of the biggest needs we face, not only in North Dakota, but across the country. So this legislation is all about making more housing, more
US Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN)
affordable.” North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said.
The package also includes provisions from Minnesota Senator Tina Smith. Among them is the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, which updates federal rural housing programs and is expected to help preserve affordable housing for roughly 400,000 families nationwide.
The legislation also includes restrictions designed to limit large corporate investors from purchasing single-family homes. It now advances to the house, Senator Cramer was optimistic the package would quickly advance to President Trump to be signed into law.
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