NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester and Representative Brown Introduce Bicameral Bill to Preserve Existing Affordable Housing

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, was joined by Representatives Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11) and Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.-21) to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act , which will help tackle the affordable housing preservation crisis. This legislation would improve the quality of existing HUD-assisted housing by providing loans to qualified owners of distressed units to make critical improvements to ensure housing is safe for our most vulnerable families. Additionally, this legislation would increase outreach to support the preservation of distressed properties. “Earlier this year, the first comprehensive housing legislation became law after more than three decades, but with a nationwide shortage of 4-7 million affordable housing units, it becomes more important than ever to preserve the affordable units that we do have,” said Senator Blunt Rochester . “I’m proud to introduce this bill alongside Congresswoman Brown to build on the achievements of the 21 st Century Road to Housing Act by providing long-overdue support for existing affordable housing units and encouraging investments that contribute to their long-term success.” “We must address the affordable housing crisis from all angles. This means building more affordable housing, but it also means preserving the housing we already have. I’m proud to partner with Senator Blunt Rochester and Congressman Gimenez on The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act , which provides needed capital to repair, renovate, and preserve HUD-assisted housing. Cleveland has seen at properties like Rainbow Terrace how serious the consequences can be when federally assisted multifamily housing falls into distress. This bill gives HUD another tool to finance critical repairs, preserve long-term affordability, and, when necessary, help qualified new owners step in before affordable housing is lost,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act would: Provide loans to qualified owners of distressed HUD-assisted housing to make renovations necessary to preserve and improve the property for the long term. Improve the quality of HUD-assisted housing and, in cases of mismanagement, give HUD new tools to preserve a property without displacing residents from the community. Strengthen outreach to local stakeholders and residents in the preservation of distressed properties. The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act is endorsed by the American Planning Association, Better Homes of Seaford, Cinnaire Lending, Delaware League of Local Governments, Housing Partnership Network, LeadingAge, Local Initiatives Support Coalition, Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, National Association of REALTORS, National Housing & Rehabilitation Association, National Housing Trust, National Leased Housing Association, Preservation of Affordable Housing, , Wilmington Housing Authority, Wilmington Land Bank, the WRK Group, and YWCA Delaware. “The Delaware League of Local Governments supports the Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act.  The preservation of existing affordable housing is an important component in providing affordable housing to Delawareans,” said Janelle Cornwell, Executive Director, Delaware League of Local Governments. “As Congress continues to focus on increasing the supply of housing, it’s also important to preserve and revitalize existing affordable homes across the country so we don’t lose ground.   We greatly appreciate Senator Blunt Rochester’s leadership on providing flexible housing preservation strategies so low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans can live in safe, high-quality affordable housing,” Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH). “Amidst growing demand, preserving America’s affordable housing supply–which includes much-needed homes for low-income older adults–is critical. Senator Blunt Rochester’s bill, ‘‘Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act of 2026,’’ addresses this issue by creating an all-important funding source for affordable housing providers to access preservation capital through loans. Funding shortfalls and rising costs force too many affordable housing providers to make difficult choices; if enacted and funded, this bill would help our mission-driven and nonprofit members and other communities make capital improvements and repairs to ensure the long-term viability of affordable homes. We appreciate Senator Blunt Rochester’s efforts to help address our country’s housing shortage.” said Katie Smith Sloan, CEO, LeadingAge. “The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is grateful for Rep. Brown and Sen. Blunt-Rochester’s leadership in introducing the Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act,” said Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, LISC. “HUD-assisted rental housing properties house some of our nation’s lowest income families and it’s essential the Department has the resources to ensure residents live in safe and decent housing. The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act would provide owners, sponsors, and purchasers of these properties flexible funding to improve and preserve them for the long-term.” “Preserving the nation’s existing affordable housing stock is essential to ensuring families have access to safe, quality homes in the communities they call home,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer. “The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act would give HUD additional tools to rehabilitate distressed properties, attract qualified owners and protect residents from displacement. The National Association of REALTORS® thanks Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester and Representative Shontel Brown for their efforts to strengthen affordable housing and help communities preserve these critical resources for the long term.” “Housing affordability is about more than building more homes.  We need to create the systems that make housing remain affordable. National Housing Trust applauds Senator Blunt Rochester and Representative Brown for introducing the Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act. Protecting existing affordable housing is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to preserve opportunity for future generations,” said Priya Jayachandran, CEO, National Housing Trust (NHT). “Senator Blunt Rochester’s bill is an integral part of a strategy to preserve federally assisted housing for low-income seniors and families.  Rising operating costs including utilities and insurance are stressing existing properties and affecting the ability to address long term capital needs.  The bill would provide necessary financing for properties that are struggling to ensure long term preservation of an already scarce resource,” said Denise Muha, COO of the National Leased Housing Association. “Affordable housing is the foundation of strong and stable communities. The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act recognizes that preserving the affordable housing we already have is just as important as creating new opportunities. I commend Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester for her leadership and commitment to ensuring that resources are available to support distressed HUD assisted units so that they continue to be safe and effective options to support families, seniors, and vulnerable residents. The Wilmington Housing Authority supports efforts that protect our nation’s affordable housing resources and strengthen the communities we are privileged to serve,” said Ray Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Wilmington Housing Authority. “Affordable housing is more than bricks and mortar; it is the foundation of opportunity, stability, and thriving communities. At a time when our nation faces a severe housing shortage, preserving the affordable homes we already have is one of the most immediate and effective steps we can take to protect families, seniors, workers, and children from displacement. Through our work at The WRK Group, we have seen firsthand that housing preservation is about far more than maintaining buildings. It is about protecting communities, preventing displacement, and ensuring residents can remain connected to the schools, services, jobs, and relationships that help families thrive in place. Communities like Riverside in Wilmington demonstrate that when we preserve housing while investing in residents and neighborhoods, we can create the conditions for long-term stability and generational opportunity,” said Logan Herring, CEO of The WRK Group. “The Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act would help ensure that residents are not forced to leave the communities they have helped build because of aging properties or a lack of investment. We applaud Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester for her leadership in advancing legislation that protects affordable housing, strengthens community stability, and advances a vision of equitable revitalization where every family has the opportunity to thrive.” The full bill text of the Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act can be found HERE , and a one-pager can be found HERE .