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119-hr-3459119th CongressWALLET

Empty Lots to Housing Act

Sponsored By: Representative Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

In Committee

Summary

Allows surplus federal highway‑acquired land to be transferred to create long‑term affordable, transit‑oriented housing. This bill would tie those transfers to strict 30‑year affordability covenants and Secretary review to ensure public benefit.

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  • Families and low‑income renters: Housing created on transferred parcels must reserve at least 40% of units for households at or below 60% of area median income (AMI), and at least 20% of those reserved units must serve households at or below 30% of AMI. Rents for the reserved units must not exceed 30% of a household's adjusted income for 30 years.
  • Local governments and nonprofits: Local authorities and nonprofits would be prioritized as transferees to develop transit‑oriented dwelling units when the recipient determines the property is no longer needed.
  • Private developers and third parties: Third‑party entities could receive property only if no local government or nonprofit can, and if they show a satisfactory track record in building or operating affordable housing.
  • Federal oversight and value protection: The Secretary must find transfers advance transit‑oriented affordability, weigh fair market value and other factors, and confirm there is no continuing federal obligation beyond the transfer.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Affordable transit homes for low-income renters

This bill would let the Secretary approve transfers of land bought with federal highway funds when it is no longer needed. Local governments or nonprofits could get the land to build homes near transit. Private developers could only get it if added tests are met and the public benefit is greater than selling at market value. At least 40% of units would have to be for families at or below 60% of area median income. Of those, at least 20% would be for families at or below 30% of AMI. Rents on reserved units could not exceed 30% of a family’s adjusted income. These affordability rules would last 30 years from the transfer.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 5/15/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2025

  • Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/21/2025

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 5/21/2025

  • Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/12/2025

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 7/10/2025

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 8/19/2025

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 8/19/2025

  • Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 9/30/2025

  • Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/24/2025

  • Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 12/11/2025

  • Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/20/2026

  • Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 5/20/2026

  • Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 6/11/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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