How To Acquire Base Property For the Homeless

When base closures are announced, federal agencies are given priority in using in the bases. Federal agencies have 60 days to formulate the “federal screening process.” During this time, the community near the base must form a Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) to plan non-military uses of the base. The LRA is a state or local government authority that must meet recognition by the Department of Defense (DoD) and whose name is published in the Federal Register. After approval by the DoD, the LRA must advertise in local newspapers and receive “notices of interest” from state governments, local governments and homeless assistance providers.

After the process of advertising in newspapers, the LRA has 270 days to generate a redevelopment plan that could involve homelessness assistance. The plan involves several options that include: job training and generation of new jobs, selling the property to purchase other property or selling the property so that funds can be used for assistance to the homeless.

After the LRA formulates its plans, it is reviewed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If HUD considers the plans not good, it can negotiate with the LRA . The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) suggests that parties obtain engineering consultants to assist with negotiations and has contacts with law firms that offer pro bono services for help in negotiations with HUD.

Reference: National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

http://www.nlchp.org/FA%5FHousing/SurplusProperty.cfm