Gianforte signs affordable housing measure

Montana Gov Greg Gianforte has signed a measure that is intended to make housing more affordable by reducing regulations and increasing supply.

“For too long, burdensome regulations have limited the housing supply, driven up prices, and made buying a home increasingly out of reach for many hardworking Montanans,” Gianforte said in a statement. “This new law cuts red tape to make it’s more affordable for Montanans to buy a home.”

Sponsored by Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber, Senate Bill 161 creates an expedited review process for subdivisions “and removes unpredictable, costly, and time-consuming procedural hurdles,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. “The streamlined review process is targeted and maintains protections of public health, welfare, environment, and safety.”

The new law will apply within city limits as well as county water and sewer districts that comply with planning and zoning and have adequate infrastructure.

“This bill is an example of a good idea that worked its way to the top through the collaboration of a wide range of interested parties between legislative sessions,” Esp said in a statement provided by the governor’s office. “This new law will help address the housing shortage in Montana, and I’m glad that the legislature and governor have helped make this good idea law.”

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