H.R. 5105: Unleashing Needed Local Options to Construct and Keep Housing Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Unleashing Needed Local Options to Construct and Keep Housing Act (or UNLOCK Act), aims to make changes to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to facilitate the construction of new residential housing specifically for low- and moderate-income individuals. Here are the key points regarding what the bill proposes:

1. Purpose of the Bill

The primary goal is to expand the availability of new housing options for individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. This is an effort to address the growing demand for affordable housing across various communities.

2. Amendments to Existing Legislation

The bill proposes specific amendments to Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The amendments include:

Modification of the criteria for metropolitan cities or urban counties, which would allow them to receive funds under section 106 for the purpose of constructing residential housing.
Inclusion of provisions for the construction of new residential housing targeted specifically towards low- and moderate-income persons.
Support for projects that may involve assistance from neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations, as well as other public or private nonprofit organizations.

3. Scope of Funding

The amendments aim to ensure that municipalities, urban counties, and various government entities can access funding to support the creation of new housing units. This funding can be used with or without the support of nonprofit organizations that work on housing issues.

4. Inclusion of Diverse Stakeholders

The bill recognizes the role of both government and nonprofit organizations in supporting housing development, thus broadening the pool of potential contributors to the housing supply in local areas.

5. Targeting Key Areas

This initiative primarily focuses on metropolitan and urban areas where the need for affordable housing has been particularly pressing. By enabling more housing development, the bill seeks to alleviate some of the pressures associated with housing shortages in these regions.