The Senate Committee on Local Government convened on April 24, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 2,477, aimed at addressing Texas's significant housing shortage by facilitating the conversion of vacant office buildings into residential units. The meeting featured public testimony from various stakeholders, highlighting the bill's potential benefits and areas for improvement.

Alex Horwitz, Director of Housing Policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts, opened the testimony by emphasizing the urgency of Texas's housing crisis, which currently sees a shortfall of over 320,000 homes. He noted that the bill would streamline the conversion process for underutilized office spaces, thereby increasing housing availability and reducing traffic congestion. Horwitz pointed out that 71% of Texans support such conversions, indicating strong public backing for the initiative.

Frances Blake, representing the Texas Association of Builders, echoed these sentiments, stating that the bill would expedite the availability of housing units and allow residents to live closer to their workplaces. She highlighted the pressing need for more housing options in Texas, where the annual shortage exceeds 300,000 homes.

Bridal Wallace, a home builder and member of the Habitat for Humanity Advocacy Committee, added that converting office buildings to residential use would not only revitalize underused spaces but also lessen the strain on infrastructure and water resources, particularly in light of Texas's ongoing drought challenges.

The committee also heard from Whitney Parra, Policy Manager at the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, who expressed strong support for the bill. She connected the state-level initiative to a proposed federal tax credit aimed at supporting office-to-residential conversions, underscoring the potential for enhanced collaboration between state and federal efforts to tackle housing shortages.

While the majority of testimony was in favor of the bill, some concerns were raised regarding specific provisions, such as fee waivers for local governments. Ryan Skrobar, representing the City of Corpus Christi, noted that the city relies on fees for service and expressed the need for clarity on how the bill's provisions would impact their revenue structure.

The meeting concluded with the committee deciding to leave the bill pending, allowing for further discussion and potential amendments. The urgency of addressing Texas's housing crisis remains a central theme, with stakeholders advocating for swift action to revitalize commercial spaces and provide much-needed housing solutions.