May 6, 2025
Mr. Horsford introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To facilitate the use of Federal lands for affordable housing, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Utilizing National Land for Opportunities and Community Key (UNLOCK) Housing Act
.
Sec. 2. Affordable housing as a public purpose
Section 1 of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (43 U.S.C. 869) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(d)
For the purposes of this Act, the development, operation, and maintenance of affordable housing for primarily extremely low-income, very low-income, or low-income families (as such terms are defined in section 1303 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4502)) is considered a public purpose.
Sec. 3. Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing
(a) In general
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of the Interior shall, not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, establish a Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing.
(b) Duties
The Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing established under subsection (a) shall—
(1)
identify underutilized Federal land that is suitable for residential development;
(2)
streamline land transfer processes;
(3)
promote policies that increase the availability of affordable housing; and
(4)
evaluate and quantify the costs incurred by other Federal and State due to a lack of affordable housing.
(c) Report
The Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing shall, each year, submit a report to the Congress that describes the work the Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing has done in the prior year.
(d) Termination
The Joint Task Force on Federal Land for Housing shall be terminated on 10 years after the date of the enactment of this section.