House Bill 453, which would create a Housing Creditworthiness Assistance Program administered by the Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) to encourage property managers and landlords to rent to applicants who otherwise qualify but lack desirable credit scores, received a committee due-pass recommendation after testimony from housing advocates and industry representatives.

Representative Anya Nornu introduced the bill. The program would allow participating landlords to accept tenants who meet income and other eligibility criteria but fail a landlord’s credit threshold; the tenant would enroll in a financial-literacy program. If the tenant defaults on their lease or causes covered property damage within a defined period, the program’s fund would reimburse the landlord up to capped amounts (the bill text sets caps, including a $10,000 per grantee cap for unpaid rent in an example in committee testimony). The fund is created with a proposed one-time appropriation (testimony referenced a $250,000 initial general-fund appropriation to the Department of Finance and Administration to contract with MFA).

Proponents included government housing officials, property-industry representatives and advocates. Daniel Orrell of the Governor’s Office of Housing emphasized rising rents and barriers to housing. Rayne Detringer of the Apartment Association said the association supports the bill after discussing details with the sponsor. Nonprofit supporters told the committee the program would help people with stable income but damaged or limited credit histories — for example, single parents with prior credit issues — access housing and build financial stability through counseling.

Several senators asked detailed implementation questions. Senator Pinto and others asked about demographics and long-term sustainability. The sponsor said the initial appropriation is intended to seed a program MFA can manage and scale and that MFA will determine participant intake levels and reporting structures. Committee members also asked how the program would relate to existing landlord-tenant records and whether landlords would be paid directly (testimony clarified payments would go to landlords/grantees, not to tenants). Senator Scott pressed for clarity on caps and whether the program would enable tenants who damage multiple properties to receive repeated assistance; the sponsor said defaults and evictions remain on a tenant’s record and could affect future rental prospects.

The committee approved a due-pass recommendation on HB453 by roll call (5–3). Supporters said the proposal is one tool among several to address housing instability; opponents cited concerns about moral hazard and ongoing costs.