BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- A Whatcom County program that makes homes more affordable could be reduced after the county council refused a proposal to expand the program into the rental market.

The council last year approved using $1.2 million in economic development investment funds to pay the impact fees on homes for low income families.

But last week, council members narrowly rejected a recommendation to use the funds on low income rental home construction.

Council member Ken Mann cast one of the "no" votes.

Mann says he didn't see a direct connection between economic development and low-income rental housing.



County executive Jack Louws told the council he would consider cutting money from the program if it wasn't expanded into the rental market.

Less than half a dozen homes have used the current program to offset impact fees.