{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senator-blunt-rochester-and-representative-brown-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-preserve-existing-affordable-housing/", "NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester and Representative Brown Introduce Bicameral Bill to Preserve Existing Affordable Housing", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "DE", "Lisa Blunt Rochester", "B001303", "www.bluntrochester.senate.gov", "bluntrochester", "https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. SenatorLisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs,was joined byRepresentativesShontel 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.\n\n\u201cEarlier 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,\u201d said Senator Blunt Rochester. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce this bill alongside Congresswoman Brown to build on the achievements of the 21st 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.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe 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\u2019m 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,\u201d said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.\n\nThe Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act would:\n\nProvide loans to qualified owners of distressed HUD-assisted housing to make renovations necessary to preserve and improve the property for the long term.\n\nImprove 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.\n\nStrengthen outreach to local stakeholders and residents in the preservation of distressed properties.\n\nThe 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.\n\n\u201cThe 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,\u201d said Janelle Cornwell,ExecutiveDirector,DelawareLeague of Local Governments.\n\n\u201cAs Congress continues to focus on increasing the supply of housing, it\u2019s also important to preserve and revitalize existing affordable homes across the country so we don\u2019t lose ground. We greatly appreciate Senator Blunt Rochester\u2019s 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,\u201d Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH).\n\n\u201cAmidst growing demand, preserving America\u2019s affordable housing supply\u2013which includes much-needed homes for low-income older adults\u2013is critical. Senator Blunt Rochester\u2019s bill, \u2018\u2018Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act of 2026,\u2019\u2019 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\u2019s efforts to help address our country\u2019s housing shortage.\u201d said Katie Smith Sloan, CEO, LeadingAge.\n\n\u201cThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is grateful for Rep. Brown and Sen. Blunt-Rochester\u2019s leadership in introducing the Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act,\u201d said Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President of Policy, LISC. \u201cHUD-assisted rental housing properties house some of our nation\u2019s lowest income families and it\u2019s 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.\u201d\n\n\u201cPreserving the nation\u2019s existing affordable housing stock is essential to ensuring families have access to safe, quality homes in the communities they call home,\u201d said Shannon McGahn, NAR Executive VicePresidentand Chief Advocacy Officer. \u201cThe 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\u00ae 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.\u201d\n\n\u201cHousing 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,\u201d said Priya Jayachandran, CEO, National Housing Trust (NHT).\n\n\u201cSenator Blunt Rochester\u2019s 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,\u201d said Denise Muha, COO of the National Leased Housing Association.\n\n\u201cAffordable 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\u2019s affordable housing resources and strengthen the communities we are privileged to serve,\u201d said Ray Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Wilmington Housing Authority.\n\n\u201cAffordable 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,\u201d said Logan Herring, CEO of The WRK Group. \u201cThe 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.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senator-blunt-rochester-and-representative-brown-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-preserve-existing-affordable-housing/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4451981987804174, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}