DeSmet Development Corp. Rep Says Town Struggles to Attract Businesses Due to Housing Shortage

The Workforce Housing Study task force of the South Dakota legislature held their second meeting in Pierre Tuesday. The committee was mandated by lawmakers to see if there are any solutions to the shortage of affordable housing across the state.

Rita Anderson, with the DeSmet Development Corporation, told the group they were able to build some new housing with the help of a program through the South Dakota Housing Authority

Anderson says building the new units demonstrated how much need there is for housing

Anderson says they did a survey, and found that about three hundred people commute every day to jobs in DeSmet.

Anderson says because of the housing shortage, it is difficult to get any new businesses interested in their town.

Anderson says small towns need help from the state, or another source funding and building new housing units.

 

(WNAX)