The Federal Lands Initiative is a program offering surplus federal properties for housing development, with priority given to affordable and supportive housing projects. When federal departments identify land no longer needed for operations, the initiative provides a process for transferring it to developers, non-profit housing providers, or municipalities at below-market rates in exchange for housing commitments. The initiative supports federal housing goals by leveraging public land assets—since land costs represent a significant portion of housing development expenses, providing land below market value enables more affordable units. Projects must meet affordability requirements for specified periods. Canada Lands Company and CMHC work with Canada's housing agencies to identify opportunities and manage transactions. Municipalities can partner to facilitate development, providing planning support and potentially contributing other funding or land to maximize affordable housing outcomes.