The Unleashing Needed Local Options to Construct and Keep Housing Act (UNLOCK Housing Act) ... to allow municipalities, for the first time, to use CDBG funding for the construction of new housing.
Allow municipalities to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the construction of new housing.
Occurrences
the House and Senate have each passed versions of a bill designed to increase the supply of affordable housing, including modifications to existing grant programs like CDBG to support new housing construction.
My legislation will make it so that towns across our state can use their CDBG funding for constructing new affordable housing units.
Evidence
On July 24, 2025, Senator Andy Kim introduced the UNLOCK Housing Act, aiming to allow municipalities to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the construction of new housing.
On July 29, 2025, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee unanimously voted to advance multiple bills led by Senator Kim, including the UNLOCK Housing Act, which allows municipalities to use CDBG funding for new housing construction.
On March 11, 2026, Senator Kim delivered remarks on the Senate Floor in support of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes provisions from the UNLOCK Housing Act to allow municipalities to use CDBG funding for new housing construction.
As of April 2, 2026, the House and Senate have each passed versions of a bill designed to increase the supply of affordable housing, including modifications to existing grant programs like CDBG to support new housing construction.
Section 202 of H.R. 6644 would amend Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to add an eligible CDBG activity: new construction of affordable housing, capped at 20 percent of the recipient's allocation. It also amends the low- and moderate-income requirement to include new construction.
Congress.gov records H.R. 6644 as passing the House on February 9, 2026 by a 390-9 vote, after being reported by the Financial Services Committee. The bill summary says it revises federal housing programs and provides grants for planning and community development activities.
The Senate vote on June 22, 2026 was on the motion to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6644 with amendment SA 5823. The motion was agreed to 85-5. Senator Kim of New Jersey voted Yea.
The Senate roll-call list identifies vote 182 as an 85-5 agreed motion on H.R. 6644, described as a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and also records earlier procedural votes on H.R. 6644 in June 2026.
Reporting on June 30, 2026 described the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, filed as H.R. 6644, as on President Trump's desk but not yet signed, with Speaker Mike Johnson saying it could become law without the president's signature if not vetoed.
Assessments
Kim materially advanced the promised policy in his current Senate term by introducing the UNLOCK Housing Act, getting it through committee, supporting incorporation into the broader housing package, and voting for H.R. 6644. The bill text appears to include the specific CDBG new-construction authority, but as of July 1, 2026 it had not clearly been signed or become law, so municipalities had not yet been allowed to use CDBG funds for new housing construction. This is a serious same-term legislative effort, not a fulfilled outcome yet.
Kim materially advanced the promised policy during his current federal term by introducing the UNLOCK Housing Act, securing Senate committee advancement, and supporting a broader housing package that incorporated the CDBG new-housing provision. The evidence also indicates both chambers had passed related but differing housing bills by April 2, 2026, with final legislation still pending. Because the policy had not yet become final enacted law or implemented authority, the promise was not fully delivered, but Kim made a serious legislative effort toward the specific outcome.
Senator Andy Kim introduced legislation to allow municipalities to use CDBG funding for new housing, actively advocated for its passage, and committees advanced the relevant bill. Versions modifying CDBG for new housing have passed both House and Senate, but the final legislation is still pending and the promise hasn't been fully implemented. Clear and sustained legislative effort is evident.