Senate file 2742 would implement recommendations to preserve nonprofit affordable housing stock

Senate File 2742 is a legislative package reflecting recommendations from the long‑term solutions to affordable housing task force. The bill would create data and collaboration mechanisms and potential relief measures aimed at preserving existing nonprofit affordable and supportive housing stock.

Sponsor Senator Port described the bill as translating task‑force recommendations into actionable items to stabilize nonprofit providers facing compounding pressures: pandemic impacts, high interest rates, rising insurance and security costs, and insufficient funding for supportive services. The committee adopted an A2 author’s amendment and took testimony from housing providers on preservation needs.

Will Delaney, interim co‑executive director of Hope Community, described a local example — Dundry House — where rising operational challenges and higher‑need residents strained services during the pandemic; the building was boarded, later experienced a fire and was condemned, leading to a loss of 25 units. Delaney said provisions in Senate File 2742 might have helped preserve that building.

Committee members asked clarifying budget questions about proposed funding levels and asked staff to provide more detail; Senator Port said numbers in the draft may change as the bill is worked into omnibus vehicles. The committee laid Senate File 2742, as amended, over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus.