Can Federal Lands Solve the U.S. Housing Crisis?

[Sanjeev Advani]

Both Democrat and Republican presidential candidates have found common ground in the idea of using federally owned lands to address the U.S. housing shortage. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have both floated plans to make housing more accessible by repurposing public lands for development. This bipartisan proposal responds to the urgent need for new housing, with estimates suggesting a shortage of up to 5.5 million units nationwide.

Legislation like the HOUSES Act, which has received bipartisan support, aims to unlock millions of new homes by using underutilized federal land. However, challenges remain, particularly with balancing environmental concerns and ensuring that new developments cater to lower-income families. While the proposal won’t solve housing issues in dense urban areas, it represents a step forward in the fight to make housing more affordable.