A new federal taskforce aims to utilize vast U.S. federal lands for affordable housing, promising extensive support for millions of Americans.
Quick Takes
- A new federal taskforce plans to use federal lands to address housing shortage.
- The initiative is being led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and HUD chief Scott Turner.
- The plan targets federal lands near major western cities.
- It aims to streamline processes and balance housing needs and environmental concerns.
Federal Initiative: A New Approach
The Departments of the Interior (DOI) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have announced a collaborative initiative aiming to address the U.S. housing crisis by leveraging federal lands for affordable housing projects. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and HUD chief Scott Turner spearhead this task force. Underutilized federal properties provide a substantial opportunity for tackling the housing affordability crisis affecting everyday Americans, proposing a model that could impact millions if successful.
“This partnership will identify underutilized federal lands suitable for residential development and streamline the land transfer process. It will also promote policies to increase the availability of affordable housing while balancing important environmental and land use considerations,” said Burgum and Turner.
The federal government owns approximately 25% of the U.S. land, primarily located in the western regions. The Bureau of Land Management, overseen by the DOI, manages these lands. The task force will identify parcels suitable for residential development and focus on streamlining the land transfer process. This strategy seeks to boost housing supply while considering environmental effects, setting a new precedent in government-led housing solutions.
“Working together, our agencies can take inventory of underused federal properties, transfer or lease them to states or localities to address housing needs, and support the infrastructure required to make development viable—all while ensuring affordability remains at the core of the mission,” wrote Scott Turner and Doug Burgum.
Balancing Priorities and Reducing Bureaucracy
The initiative launches the Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing, with the primary aim of balancing housing availability and environmental considerations. It intends to simplify the regulatory landscape that often complicates building on federal lands. Burgum and Turner emphasize the importance of expediting approvals and streamlining operations to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, balancing ecological considerations with development needs.
The demographic focus falls heavily on regions near major cities such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. Conservative think tanks suggest developing just 512,000 acres could result in creating around three to four million homes, spelling significant relief for these urban centers where housing demand is at a peak.
Impact and Prospects
As the American populace remains heavily concerned with rising home costs, reflected by a Pew Research Center survey showing 69% expressing “very concerned” sentiments as of October 2023, the task force’s success holds potential broad implications. While historically met with governmental disagreements, its execution could invite significant change to the affordable housing panorama, promising economic and social impacts.
Should it succeed, this may stand as one of the largest housing efforts undertaken by the U.S. government, directly addressing a key voter issue ahead of the 2024 elections. However, success remains contingent on cooperation across state and local levels, as well as the ability to deftly navigate potential regulatory challenges that have stifled similar initiatives in the past.
Sources
1. HUD, Interior announce plan to use federal land for affordable housing
2. Burgum, Turner Announce Taskforce To Tackle ‘Housing Affordability Crisis’ In U.S.
