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Sen. Gallego Endorses Federal Lands Initiative for Affordable Housing

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has expressed support for President Trump’s recent initiative to utilize federal lands for the creation of affordable public housing across the United States.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, Gallego praised the establishment of the Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing. He urged the administration to adopt a comprehensive strategy for land development that not only prioritizes the environment but also respects tribal sovereignty. He emphasized the necessity for substantial engagement with local, state, and tribal communities to ensure that housing projects align with the unique needs of these areas.

The task force was initiated last month by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in collaboration with the Interior Department. Its primary objective is to identify underutilized federal lands suitable for residential development and streamline the processes for utilizing these lands to help mitigate the ongoing housing crisis.

“Through collaborative efforts, our agencies can assess unused federal properties, facilitate their transfer or lease to local or state authorities to address housing demands, and bolster infrastructure necessary for sustainable development—all while keeping affordability central to our mission,” stated HUD Secretary Scott Turner and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in a joint statement made in mid-March regarding the task force’s goals.

The housing crisis remains one of the most pressing topics in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. A recent analysis by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that close to 75 percent of U.S. households are unable to afford homes priced at the median level.

“In light of these increasing challenges, it is vital that we explore all possible options to alleviate housing costs for families and make homeownership a realistic objective within the American Dream,” Gallego noted in his two-page correspondence.

Additionally, Gallego requested information regarding the members of the task force and inquired whether the notes from meetings or any reports will be accessible to the public. He also posed questions about how the task force plans to collaborate with other departments to address environmental and transportation issues during the development process and how it will ensure engagement with rural and tribal communities.

Source
thehill.com