HOUSES Act of 2023

The HOUSES Act of 2023 allows states and local governments to purchase federal public lands for housing development, requiring at least 85% of the land to be used for residential housing, open space, green space, or community amenities like schools or health clinics. It sets specific rules, including a minimum density of 4 homes per acre, limits on commercial use (capping it at 15% of land), and requirements for infrastructure like transit hubs and utilities. The bill establishes a review process where the Secretary of the Interior must prioritize housing needs, complete decisions within one year, and sell land at a price calculated using a formula based on fair market value and prior tax revenue. This applies to tracts not designated as federally protected land, with non-compliance risking loss of federal community development funds for 15 years.