Federal Surplus Real Property
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for the transfer of federal surplus real properties (including land and buildings) to homeless service providers including State, public and non-profit organizations. Upon notification of surplus property available by the U.S. General Services Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development determines the suitability of the property for habitation and publishes a listing in the Federal Register. The Program Support Center at the Real Property Branch of HHS advises potential grantees on the process of obtaining listed property and refurbishing it for providers use.
This collaboration between all three federal agencies enables unutilized or underutilized federal properties to be leased from one to twenty years to eligible applicants to serve the homeless population in a variety of functions. Surplus leased property can be used for emergency shelter, health clinics, employment training facilities, and permanent supportive housing facilities. Since FY 1988, HHS has transferred nearly 800 acres of land and over 650 buildings for use by homeless service providers. There are currently over 500 acres of land and over 450 buildings, all operated by eligible homeless institutions. Faith-based homeless assistance providers currently occupy approximately 20 of the Title V properties transferred.
Eligible Grantees:
State, public and non-profit organizations that administer supportive housing services, emergency and transitional housing, substance abuse and mental health programs for homeless individuals, homeless ex-offender aftercare programs, and other supportive homeless services.
Eligible Beneficiaries:
Individuals, families, and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness who access any of the eligible programs and housing facilities.
Funding Mechanism:
Availability of property is determined by the General Services Administration and must go through approval by HUD before it can become available for acquisition by eligible grantees, who are given assistance in transfer of property by HHS.
