Rep. Neguse Passes Bill to Address Housing Shortage in Rural & Mountain Communities Through Committee with Unanimous Support
Lafayette, CO — Last week, Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, successfully passed the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act through the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill, which has bipartisan and bicameral support, extends and strengthens the authority of the United States Forest Service (USFS) to lease underutilized administrative sites to address local needs, including for building affordable housing. The Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act now heads to the House Floor for consideration.
The bill is championed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) in the United States Senate.
“For countless folks in Colorado and across the country, equipping the Forest Service with the ability to lease administrative sites will help to meet the needs of communities surrounded by federal lands, building on the existing program and increasing much-needed access to affordable housing,” said Congressman Neguse. “I am thrilled to see the House Committee on Natural Resources move forward on this important bill. Now, it’s time we get it across the finish line.”
“The American West faces a housing crisis, and our mountain and rural communities are at the center of it,” said Senator Bennet. “We need to use every tool available to build more affordable housing and help Coloradans live where they work. I’m pleased that the House Natural Resources Committee passed the bill with strong bipartisan support, and I’ll keep working to send this common sense legislation to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”
In June of last year, Congressman Neguse was able to advance a standalone version of the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act through the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill now moves as part of the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The EXPLORE Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to improve access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities on America’s public lands and waters.
Background
The 2018 Farm Bill included provisions to allow the authority for the Forest Service to lease administrative sites to localities in exchange for in-kind contributions, including housing construction and improvement or maintenance of federal facilities. To provide towns and counties with greater certainty, the Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act extends this authority through 2028, extends the site’s lease authority to up to 100 years, and provides a pathway for renewal at the end of its term.
As a result of the housing crisis in the West, the Forest Service currently experiences a severe staffing shortage. This legislation will also help the agency provide housing for its firefighters and other critical positions to better serve the communities they work for.
The bill is supported by Summit County, Grand County, Eagle County, Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST), and Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG).
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