Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner have launched a Joint Task Force aimed at utilizing underutilized federal land for residential development. The initiative seeks to address the housing shortage by increasing supply and reducing costs.
In an op-ed titled “Federal Lands Can Be Home Sweet Home,” published in the Wall Street Journal, Secretaries Burgum and Turner discussed the potential of federal lands for affordable housing. They noted that "the Interior Department oversees more than 500 million acres of federal land, much of it suitable for residential use."
The task force will combine the expertise of both departments. HUD will identify areas with pressing housing needs and collaborate with state and local leaders, while the Interior Department will pinpoint locations that can support homes, considering environmental impacts and land-use restrictions.
The partnership aims to streamline regulatory processes traditionally associated with building on federal land. This includes simplifying environmental reviews, transfer protocols, and agency priorities. The Interior Department plans to reduce bureaucratic hurdles in transferring or leasing land to public housing authorities, nonprofits, and local governments. HUD will ensure these projects meet affordability goals.
"This isn't a free-for-all to build on federal lands," the secretaries stated, acknowledging potential criticism. Instead, they emphasized it as "a strategic effort to use our resources responsibly while preserving our most beautiful lands."
The initiative also aims to focus on rural and tribal communities often overlooked in development efforts. "We want to build hope," they said, highlighting their commitment to investing in America's forgotten communities.
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