Federal Lands for Housing initiatives make surplus federal properties available for housing development, particularly affordable housing. The Federal Lands Initiative and related programs identify underutilized federal lands in municipalities facing housing shortages and offer them to developers, non-profits, or municipalities at or below market value in exchange for affordable housing commitments. Federal lands potentially available include surplus military properties, unused parking lots, under-utilized office sites, and excess holdings of various departments. Canada Lands Company and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation administer various programs. For municipalities struggling with housing affordability, federal lands represent development opportunities that don't require assembling private parcels. Challenges include ensuring land is suitable for housing, aligning federal timelines with local planning, and structuring deals that achieve meaningful affordability rather than just market-rate development on discounted land.