US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 11411

Use of unutilized and underutilized public buildings and real property to assist the homeless

(a)

Identification of suitable property

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, on a quarterly basis, request information from each landholding agency regarding Federal public buildings and other Federal real properties (including fixtures) that are excess property or surplus property or that are described as unutilized or underutilized in surveys by the heads of landholding agencies under section 524(a)(2) and (3) of title 40. No later than 25 days after receiving a request from the Secretary, the head of each landholding agency shall transmit such information to the Secretary. No later than 30 days after receiving such information, the Secretary shall identify which of those buildings and other properties are suitable for use to assist the homeless.

(b)

Availability of property

(1)
The Secretary shall promptly notify each Federal agency with respect to any property of that agency that the Secretary has identified under subsection (a). No later than 45 days after receipt of such a notice, the head of the appropriate landholding agency shall transmit to the Secretary the agency’s response to property identifications contained in such notification, which shall include—
(A)
in the case of unutilized or underutilized property—
(i)
a statement of intention to determine the property excess to the agency’s needs;
(ii)
a statement of intention to make the property available for use to assist the homeless; or
(iii)
a statement of the reasons (including a full explanation of the need) the property cannot be determined excess to the agency’s needs or made available for use to assist the homeless; and
(B)
in the case of excess property—
(i)
a statement that there is no other compelling Federal need for the property and, therefore, the property will be determined surplus; or
(ii)
a statement that there is further and compelling Federal need for the property (including a full explanation of such need) and that, therefore, the property is not presently available for use to assist the homeless.
(2)
All properties identified by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall be available for application—
(A)
in the case of property other than surplus property, for use to assist the homeless in accordance with the provisions of this section;
(B)
in the case of surplus property, for use to assist the homeless either in accordance with this section or as a public health use in accordance with section 550(a)–(d) of title 40; and
(C)
in the case of surplus property, the provision of permanent housing with or without supportive services is an eligible use to assist the homeless under this section.
(3)
The Secretary shall maintain a written public record of—
(A)
the identification of buildings and other properties by the Secretary under this subsection and the reasons for such identifications; and
(B)
the responses of landholding agencies to such identifications.
(c)

Publication of properties

(1)
(A)
No later than 15 days after the last day of the 45-day period provided for under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall publish on the Web site of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the General Services Administration—
(i)
a list of all properties reviewed by the Secretary under subsection (a); and
(ii)
a list of all properties that are available under subsection (b)(2) for application for use to assist the homeless.
(B)
Each publication of properties shall include a description and the location of each property (including the address and zip code) and the current classification of each property as unutilized, underutilized, excess property, or surplus property.
(C)
The Secretary shall make available to the public upon request all information in the possession of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (other than valuation information), regardless of format, about all properties reviewed and not identified as being suitable for use to assist the homeless, including the reasons such properties were not so identified.
(D)
The Secretary shall publish separately, on an annual basis, all properties identified as being suitable for use to assist the homeless, but reported to be unavailable, and the reasons such properties were unavailable.
(2)
(A)
No later than 15 days after the last day of the 45-day period provided for under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the list of available properties published under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Council shall immediately distribute to all State and regional homeless coordinators area-relevant portions of the list.
(B)
The Secretary, the Administrator, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make such efforts as are necessary to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the information on such list.
(C)
The Secretary shall establish a toll-free number to provide the public with specific information about properties on such list.
(3)
The Secretary shall make available to the public upon request all information (other than valuation information) regardless of format in the possession of the Department of Housing and Urban Development about the properties published under paragraph (1)(A), including environmental assessment data. The Secretary shall maintain a current list of agency contacts for making referrals of inquiries for information about specific properties.
(4)
(A)
On December 31 of each year, the head of each landholding agency shall report to the Secretary the current availability status and the current classification of each property controlled by the agency, that—
(i)
was included in a list published in that year by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(A)(ii); and
(ii)
remains available for application for use to assist the homeless or has become available for application during that year.
(B)
No later than February 15 each year, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a list of all properties reported under subparagraph (A) for the preceding year and the current classification of the properties.
(C)
For purposes of subparagraph (A), property shall not be considered to remain available for application for use to assist the homeless after the 60-day holding period provided under subsection (d) if—
(i)
an application for or written expression of interest in the property is made under any law for use of the property for any purpose; or
(ii)
the Administrator receives a bona fide offer to purchase the property or advertises for the sale of the property by public auction.
(d)

Holding period

(1)
Properties published under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) as available for application for use to assist the homeless shall not be available for any other purpose for a period of 30 days beginning on the date of such publication.
(2)
If written notice of intent to apply for such a property for use to assist the homeless is received by the Secretary of Health and Human Services within the 30-day period described under paragraph (1), such property may not be made available for any other purpose until the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services or other appropriate landholding agency has completed action on the application submitted under subsection (e) with respect to that written notice of intent.
(3)
Property that is reviewed by the Secretary under subsection (a) and that is not identified by the Secretary as being suitable for use to assist the homeless may not be made available for any other purpose for 20 days after the determination of unsuitability to allow for review of the determination at the request of the representative of the homeless. The Secretary shall disseminate immediately this information to the regional offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. If no such review of the determination is requested within the 20-day period, such property will not be included in subsequent publications unless the landholding agency makes changes to the property (e.g. improvements) that may change the unsuitable determination and the Secretary subsequently determines the property is suitable.
(4)
(A)
Written notice of intent to apply for a property published under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) may be filed at any time after the 30-day period described in paragraph (1) has expired. In such case, an application submitted pursuant to the notice may be approved for disposal for use to assist the homeless only if the property remains available for application for use to assist the homeless. If the property remains available, the use to assist the homeless shall be given priority of consideration over other competing disposal opportunities under sections 541–555 of title 40, except as provided in subsection (f)(3)(A).
(B)
Surplus property for which an application has been approved shall be assigned promptly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for disposition in accordance with and subject to subsection (f).
(e)

Application for property

(1)
A representative of the homeless may submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for any property that is published under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) as available for application for use to assist the homeless.
(2)
(A)
No later than 75 days after the submission of written notice of intent to apply for a property, an applicant shall submit an initial application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, with the concurrence of the appropriate landholding agency, grant reasonable extensions.
(B)
An initial application shall set forth—
(i)
the services that will be offered;
(ii)
the need for the services; and
(iii)
the experience of the applicant that demonstrates the ability to provide the services.
(3)
No later than 10 days after receipt of an initial application, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review, make all determinations, and complete all actions on the application. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall maintain a written public record of all actions taken in response to an application.
(4)
If the Secretary of Health and Human Services approves an initial application, the applicant has 45 days in which to provide a final application that sets forth a reasonable plan to finance the approved program.
(5)
No later than 15 days after receipt of the final application, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review, make a final determination, and complete all actions on the final application. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall maintain a public record of all actions taken in response to an application.
(f)

Making property available to representatives of homeless

(1)
Subject to the provisions of this subsection, property for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has approved an application under subsection (e) shall be made promptly available, at the applicant’s discretion, by permit or lease, or by deed as a public health use under section 550(a)–(d) of title 40, to the representative of the homeless that submitted the application.
(2)
Unutilized or underutilized property that is the subject of an agency’s statement of intention under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) shall be made promptly available by the appropriate landholding agency to the approved applicant by lease or permit for a term of not less than 1 year, unless the applicant requests a shorter term.
(3)
(A)
section 550 of title 40 In disposing of surplus property by deed or lease under sections 541–555 of title 40, the Administrator and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall give priority of consideration to uses to assist the homeless, unless the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that a competing request for the property under is so meritorious and compelling as to outweigh the needs of the homeless.
(B)
Whenever the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services makes a determination under subparagraph (A), the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall transmit to the appropriate committees of the Congress an explanatory statement detailing the need satisfied by conveyance of the surplus property and the reasons for determining that such need was so meritorious and compelling as to outweigh the needs of the homeless.
(4)
section 550 of title 40 For any property made available by lease to a representative of the homeless before , the Secretary of Health and Human Services may, upon written request by the representative, convey such property by deed to the representative in accordance with, and subject to the requirements of, . The lease term shall not be affected if a deed is not granted.
(g)

Records

The Secretary shall maintain a written public record of—
(1)
the reasons for determinations of the Secretary under this section that property is suitable or unsuitable for use to assist the homeless; and
(2)
the responses of landholding agencies under subsection (b)(1).
(h)

Applicability to property under base closure process

(1)
Public Law 101–51010 U.S.C. 2687 The provisions of this section shall not apply to buildings and property at military installations that are approved for closure under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of ; note) after .
(2)
Public Law 100–52610 U.S.C. 2687 For provisions relating to the use to assist the homeless of buildings and property located at certain military installations approved for closure under such Act, or under title II of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act (; note), before , see section 2(e) of Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act of 1994.
(i)

Definitions

For purposes of this section—
(1)
the term “Administrator” means the Administrator of General Services;
(2)
section 102 of title 40 each of the terms “excess property” and “surplus property” has the meaning given that term under ;
(3)
the term “landholding agency” means a Federal department or agency with statutory authority to control real property;
(4)
the term “representative of the homeless” means a State or local government agency, or private nonprofit organization, which provides services to the homeless; and
(5)
the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, except as otherwise provided.

Pub. L. 100–77, title V, § 501101 Stat. 509Pub. L. 100–628, title V, § 501102 Stat. 3240Pub. L. 101–645, title IV, § 401(a)104 Stat. 4719Pub. L. 102–484, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2824106 Stat. 2608Pub. L. 103–421, § 2(d)108 Stat. 4352Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title II, § 216(4)118 Stat. 394Pub. L. 114–287, § 22130 Stat. 1478(, , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 101–510104 Stat. 1808section 2687 of Title 10The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (h), is part A of title XXIX of div. B of , , , which is set out as a note under , Armed Forces. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Pub. L. 100–526102 Stat. 2627section 2687 of Title 10section 2687 of Title 10Title II of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act, referred to in subsec. (h)(2), is title II of , , , which is set out as a note under . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1988 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

section 2(e) of Pub. L. 103–421section 2687 of Title 10Section 2(e) of Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act of 1994, referred to in subsec. (h)(2), is , which is set out as a note under .

Codification

40 U.S.C. 483(b)(2)40 U.S.C. 484(k)(1)40 U.S.C. 484section 550 of title 40section 550 of title 4040 U.S.C. 484(k)section 102 of title 4040 U.S.C. 472Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c)116 Stat. 1303In subsec. (a), “section 524(a)(2) and (3) of title 40” substituted for “section 202(b)(2) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ()”, in subsecs.(b)(2)(A)(ii) and (f)(1), “section 550(a)–(d) of title 40” substituted for “paragraphs (1) and (4) of section 203(k) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( and (4))”, in subsecs. (d)(4)(A) and (f)(3)(A), “sections 541–555 of title 40” substituted for “section 203 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ()”, in subsec. (f)(3)(A), “” substituted for “section 203(k) of such Act”, meaning the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, in subsec. (f)(4), “” substituted for “section 203(k) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ()”, and, in subsec. (i)(2), “” substituted for “section 3 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ()”, on authority of , , , the first section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.

Amendments

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(1)2016—Subsec. (b)(2). , struck out subpar. (A) designation after par. (2) designation, redesignated cls. (i) and (ii) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, and added subpar. (C).

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(2)Subsec. (c)(1)(A). , substituted “on the Web site of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the General Services Administration” for “in the Federal Register” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(3)(A)Subsec. (d)(1). , substituted “period of 30 days” for “period of 60 days”.

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(3)(B)Subsec. (d)(2). , substituted “30-day period” for “60-day period”.

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(3)(C)Subsec. (d)(3). , inserted at end “If no such review of the determination is requested within the 20-day period, such property will not be included in subsequent publications unless the landholding agency makes changes to the property (e.g. improvements) that may change the unsuitable determination and the Secretary subsequently determines the property is suitable.”

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(3)(B)Subsec. (d)(4). , substituted “30-day period” for “60-day period”.

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(4)(A)Subsec. (e)(2). , designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted “75 days” for “90 days” and “an initial application” for “a complete application”, and added subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(4)(B)Subsec. (e)(3). , substituted “10 days after receipt of an initial application” for “25 days after receipt of a completed application”.

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(4)(C)Subsec. (e)(4), (5). , added pars. (4) and (5).

Pub. L. 114–287, § 22(5)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “available, at the applicant’s discretion, by” for “available by”.

Pub. L. 108–1992004—Subsecs. (c)(2)(A), (d)(3). substituted “United States Interagency Council on Homelessness” for “Interagency Council on the Homeless”.

Pub. L. 103–4211994—Subsecs. (h), (i). added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).

Pub. L. 102–484, § 2824(a)1992—Subsec. (c)(4)(C). , amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “For purposes of subparagraph (A), property shall be considered to remain available for application for use to assist the homeless if, subsequent to the 60-day holding period provided under subsection (d) of this section—

“(i) no application or written expression of interest has been made under any law for use of the property for any purpose; and

“(ii) the Administrator has not received a bona fide offer to purchase the property or advertised for the sale of the property by public auction.”

Pub. L. 102–484, § 2824(b)Subsec. (f)(2). , inserted “or” after “Unutilized”.

Pub. L. 101–6451990— amended section generally, substituting present provisions consisting of subsecs. (a) to (h) for former provisions consisting of subsecs. (a) to (e).

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(1)1988—, substituted “unutilized and underutilized” for “underutilized” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(2)Subsec. (a). , substituted “unutilized or underutilized” for “underutilized” in heading and text and inserted “, within 2 months after collecting such information,” before “shall identify” in text.

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(3)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , inserted “or to make the property available, on an interim basis, for use as facilities to assist the homeless” after “agency’s need”.

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(3)(B)Subsec. (b)(2). , inserted before period at end “or made available on an interim basis for use as facilities to assist the homeless”.

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(4)(A)Subsec. (d). , struck out “by lease” after “property” in heading.

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(4)(B)Subsec. (d)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “Federal buildings or property may be made available under this section only through the use of leases for at least 1 year. Ownership of the buildings and property shall not be transferred from the Federal Government.”

Pub. L. 100–628, § 501(4)(C)Subsec. (d)(2). , substituted “With respect to property identified under subsection (a) which has been designated as surplus property,” for “To permit leases of surplus Federal buildings and other real property under this section,”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–645, title IV, § 401(b)104 Stat. 4723

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall be effective 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Regulations

Pub. L. 101–645, title IV, § 401(d)104 Stat. 4723

“No later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [], the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall promulgate regulations implementing this section and the amendment made by this section [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section].”
, , , provided that:

Exemption of Department of Defense Off-Site Use and Off-Site Removal Only Non-Mobile Properties From Certain Excess Property Disposal Requirements

Pub. L. 115–232, div. B, title XXVIII, § 2822132 Stat. 2268

“(a)

In General .—

42 U.S.C. 11411Excess or unutilized or underutilized non-mobile property of the Department of Defense that is situated on non-excess land shall be exempt from the requirements of title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( et seq.) upon a determination by the head of the department, agency, or other element of the Department having jurisdiction of the property that—
“(1)
the property is not feasible to relocate;
“(2)
the property is located in an area to which the general public is denied access in the interest of national security; and
“(3)
the exemption would facilitate the efficient disposal of excess property or result in more efficient real property management.
“(b)

Consultation .—

Before making an initial determination under the authority in subsection (a), and periodically thereafter, the head of a department, agency, or other element of the Department shall consult with the Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness on types of non-mobile properties that may be feasible for relocation and suitable to assist the homeless.
“(c)

Reporting Requirement.—

“(1)

In general .—

If any head of a department, agency, or other element of the Department makes a determination under subsection (a) during a fiscal year, not later than 90 days after the end of that fiscal year, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report listing all the buildings, facilities, and other properties for which a determination was made under that subsection during that fiscal year.
“(2)

Form .—

Any report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
“(3)

Appropriate committees of congress defined .—

In this subsection, the term ‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means—
“(A)
the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
“(B)
the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives.
“(d)

Sunset .—

The authority under subsection (a) shall expire on .”
, , , provided that:

Consultation and Report Regarding Use of National Guard Facilities as Overnight Shelters for Homeless Individuals

Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, § 1411106 Stat. 4039, , , required the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to consult with the chief executive officers of the States and the Secretary of Defense to determine the availability of space at National Guard facilities for use by homeless organizations in providing overnight shelter for the homeless, determine the availability of incidental services at such facilities, and submit to Congress, not later than the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on , a report regarding the consultations and determinations made by the Secretary under this section, including recommendations.

Unutilized and Underutilized Property for Purposes of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–645, title IV, § 401(c)104 Stat. 4723Pub. L. 106–400, § 2114 Stat. 1675

42 U.S.C. 11411“For purposes of section 501 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act () (as amended by this Act) the terms ‘unutilized’ and ‘underutilized’ when used to describe property have the same meaning such terms had before the date of the enactment of this Act [] under such section 501.”
, , , as amended by , , , provided that: