PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- A new program to jump start housing development across South Dakota appears to be on the home stretch.

$200-million dollars was approved by the Legislature and Governor earlier this year.

They were hopeful it would be available for the full construction season, but it’s been held up.

New rules had to be developed by the State Housing Authority…and those rules were approved by lawmakers meeting in Pierre Tuesday.

State Housing Executive Director Chas Olson assured committee members that changes to the application process will be kept to a minimum.

The committee voted 5 to 1 to approve the rules so the program can begin receiving applications in a few weeks.