FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2025
Contact: Louisa Tavlas | ltavlas@niskanencenter.org

Washington, D.C.–The Niskanen Center commends Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for introducing the bipartisan Build Now Act, an innovative, budget-neutral approach to addressing America’s housing affordability and zoning challenges. 

At a time when housing costs are burdening families nationwide, the Build Now Act gives state and local governments the means and the motivation to reform current practices, by applying modest, balanced federal incentives–while disincentivizing the most expensive, overregulated cities. 

“Americans are looking for bold, effective solutions to lower their cost of living, and the Build Now Act is a creative and pragmatic first step,” said Kaj Gumbs, Government Affairs Manager at the Niskanen Center. “Senators Kennedy and Warren deserve credit for this even-handed, common-sense approach to zoning reform.”

The Build Now Act of 2025 would:

  • Establish a first-of-its-kind pilot program that ties federal block grants to housing growth through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program 
  • Apply a fiscal incentive to highest-cost jurisdictions
  • Leave the existing CDBG structure unchanged for the majority of communities

The Niskanen Center strongly encourages lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support this effort and ensure swift passage during next week’s Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee markup. 

As the nation works to restore affordability and access in the housing market, the Build Now Act of 2025 stands out as a practical, bipartisan solution that meets the moment and needs of the American people.

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The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.