# Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023

The Forest Service currently struggles to attract and keep workers in remote areas where national forests are located. Many positions go unfilled because housing is scarce and expensive in these communities. This bill gives the U.S. Forest Service new flexibility to partner with private companies, nonprofits, and local governments to build and manage housing for their employees. Instead of the Forest Service having to build and maintain all housing themselves, they can now work with outside partners who might be better equipped to develop housing solutions. This could mean anything from helping finance new apartments to supporting renovations of existing homes in forest communities.

The practical effect is that Forest Service workers—rangers, firefighters, maintenance crews, and administrative staff—would have better access to affordable housing near their jobs. Communities near national forests could also benefit from new housing development and economic activity. The bill removes bureaucratic barriers that previously made it difficult for the Forest Service to collaborate with private developers or local housing authorities. For example, the Forest Service could now more easily lease land to a developer who builds employee housing, or partner with a nonprofit to create affordable units. This addresses a real problem: many remote forest communities have seen worker shortages because people can't find places to live, which makes it harder for the Forest Service to maintain trails, fight wildfires, and manage public lands effectively.

The bill doesn't require the Forest Service to do anything—it simply gives them the option to pursue these partnerships if they choose. It's designed to be a practical tool for solving a specific workforce problem while potentially revitalizing some struggling rural communities that depend on Forest Service employment.

Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023

Bennet, Michael F.

Forest Service Flexible Housing Partnerships Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies the authority of the Forest Service to lease its administrative sites. The Forest Service may accept services occurring off of the administrative site as consideration for a lease. The Forest Service may lease an administrative site for up to 100 years, and leases must provide for renewal.