Vacancy to Value Act of 2026

Wesley Bell

Democrat · MO · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

No cosponsors on record. Bills can pass without cosponsors — this often means the sponsor introduced the bill alone, either because it's a messaging bill, a chairman's mark, or simply early in the legislative cycle.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

2026-05-22

Source: Congress.gov

The federal government would sell or give away unused government buildings and land to qualified organizations that promise to redevelop them for economic growth, with the General Services Administration and Department of Housing and Urban Development running pilot and grant programs to make these transfers happen. This would help communities repurpose vacant federal properties into new businesses, housing, or other productive uses rather than letting them sit empty. Local governments, nonprofits, and private developers could potentially benefit from access to these properties at reduced costs.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 9011 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9011 To authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration, in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to establish a pilot program and a grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to facilitate the sale or transfer of underutilized Federal property to eligible entities for economic redevelopment, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 22, 2026 Mr. Bell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Administrator of the General Services Administration, in coordination with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to establish a pilot program and a grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to facilitate the sale or transfer of underutilized Federal property to eligible entities for economic redevelopment, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Vacancy to Value Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF UNDERUTILIZED FEDERAL PROPERTY. (a) In General.--The Administrator of the General Services Administration shall establish and implement a pilot program to facilitate the sale or transfer of underutilized Federal properties to entities and individuals for an eligible purpose described in subsection (b) on a pilot basis. (b) Eligible Purpose.--An eligible purpose for a property sold or transferred under this section shall only be for redevelopment or economic development purposes that benefit the surrounding community, including affordable housing, job creation, economic growth, and community facilities such as clinics, childcare centers, and schools. (c) Amount of Sale.--A sale or transfer under this section may be for an amount that is less than fair market value of the property being sold or transferred. (d) Development Requirement.--An entity acquiring property under this section shall submit a redevelopment plan including the specified use under subsection (b) and begin redevelopment not later than 5 years after acquisition. (e) Recapture.--If an entity fails to meet the requirements under subsection (d), the Administrator may require the return of the property or impose other appropriate remedies. (f) Priority Consideration.--In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Administrator shall give priority consideration to community-based nonprofit organizations and public entities. (g) Termination.--The pilot program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (h) Definition of Underutilized Federal Property.--In this section, the term ``underutilized Federal property'' means any real property owned or controlled by the Federal Government that-- (1) is not fully occupied or utilized for the purposes of the Federal agency with jurisdiction over the property; or (2) has been determined by the Administrator to be excess to the needs of the Federal Government, including property that is vacant, obsolete, or economically inefficient to maintain. SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) Study.--The Administrator of the General Services Administration shall conduct a study on the outcomes of the program under section 2. (b) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the termination of the pilot program under section 2(g), the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the…

program containing the results of the study under subsection (a). SEC. 4. FEDERAL REDEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a Federal Redevelopment Grant Program to provide competitive grants to eligible entities acquiring property under section 2 for redevelopment and community revitalization purposes. (b) Eligible Entities.--Entities eligible to receive grants under this section shall include-- (1) units of State or local government; (2) Tribal governments; (3) public housing agencies; (4) community land trusts; (5) community development corporations; (6) nonprofit organizations; and (7) partnerships between public entities and nonprofit organizations. (c) Eligible Uses.--Grant funds awarded under this section may be used for-- (1) predevelopment and planning activities; (2) environmental remediation and site preparation; (3) demolition, rehabilitation, or construction costs; (4) infrastructure improvements; (5) development of affordable housing; (6) development of community facilities, including health clinics, childcare centers, schools, workforce development centers, and community centers; and (7) other activities determined appropriate by the Administrator to carry out the purposes of this Act. (d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize projects that-- (1) create or preserve permanently affordable housing; (2) benefit low-income or historically underserved communities; and (3) are proposed by community-based nonprofit organizations or public entities; (e) Community Benefit Requirement.--As a condition of receiving grant funds under this section, an eligible entity shall demonstrate that the proposed redevelopment project will provide a substantial public benefit to the surrounding community. (f) Reporting.--Recipients of grants under this section shall submit annual reports to the Secretary describing the use of funds, redevelopment progress, community impact, and compliance with the requirements of this Act. (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. <all>

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