Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is pushing hard to solve the state’s housing crisis by freeing up federal land for development. But not everyone is on board with his plan.
Lombardo has asked the state Legislature to pass a resolution urging Congress and President Donald Trump to release more federal land.
Right now, 88% of Clark County is controlled by the federal government. That leaves little space for new homes.
With more land available, developers could build more houses, making homes more affordable for Nevadans.
“Our state is growing fast,” Lombardo said. “We need more land to build homes and keep prices down.”
Housing prices in Nevada have skyrocketed. There aren’t enough homes, and many people can’t afford the ones that are available. Rent is high, and buying a home is out of reach for many families.
Part of the problem is that there’s just not enough land to build on.
Unlike other states, Nevada is mostly owned by the federal government. This limits where new homes can be built.
Nevada is short more than 78,000 affordable rental units, making it one of the worst states in the country for affordable housing.
Lombardo believes that if the federal government releases land, developers will be able to build more houses, and prices will drop.
Democrats in the Legislature have their own plan.
Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui wants to free up some land, but she also wants to add more restrictions. Her resolution includes conservation efforts and limits on how the land can be used.
She also supports other housing policies, like rent control for seniors and rules to stop big corporations from buying up homes.
But Lombardo vetoed those policies last year, arguing they would hurt the housing market.
Some groups, like Battle Born Progress, say opening more land would just lead to more urban sprawl, more traffic, and strain on public services.
Indigenous groups also have concerns.
Mathilda Miller, of Indigenous Voices of Nevada, says many of these lands are sacred to Native American tribes.
Supporters of Lombardo’s plan say opening more land is a necessary first step.
David Edelblute, a property development attorney, says Lombardo’s plan is “a giant piece of a complex puzzle.” He believes the state needs to work with the federal government and local officials to speed up the process.
Nevada is running out of land for new homes. Housing prices are high, and many families are struggling.
Governor Lombardo believes the federal government needs to release more land to solve the problem.
Democrats agree more land should be freed up but want to include more restrictions.
For now, the debate continues. But one thing is clear: Nevada needs more housing, and something needs to change.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
