U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum have announced a Joint Task Force aimed at utilizing federal lands for affordable housing development. The initiative seeks to identify underutilized federal properties suitable for residential purposes, streamline land transfer processes, and promote policies to increase the availability of affordable housing.
The joint effort was detailed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed titled "Federal Lands Can Be Home Sweet Home," co-authored by Secretaries Turner and Burgum. They emphasize that making federal land available for building affordable housing can address America's pressing need for more affordable homes.
The Interior Department manages over 500 million acres of federal land, much of which is deemed suitable for residential use. HUD will bring its expertise in housing policy and community development to this collaboration. Together, the agencies aim to boost housing supply while reducing costs for millions of Americans.
According to the plan, HUD will determine where housing needs are most critical and guide the process by working with state and local leaders who are familiar with their communities' requirements. The Interior Department will identify locations that can support residential development while considering environmental impacts and land-use restrictions.
By taking inventory of underused federal properties, the task force aims to transfer or lease them to states or localities, addressing housing needs while supporting necessary infrastructure developments. A key focus is ensuring affordability remains central to this mission.
A significant component of this partnership involves streamlining regulatory processes historically fraught with challenges such as lengthy environmental reviews and complex transfer protocols. The Interior Department intends to reduce bureaucratic obstacles associated with land transfers or leases to public housing authorities, nonprofits, and local governments. Meanwhile, HUD will ensure these projects align with affordability goals and development needs.
"This isn’t a free-for-all to build on federal lands," state Secretaries Turner and Burgum in their op-ed. "It’s a strategic effort to use our resources responsibly while preserving our most beautiful lands."
