Unused federal highway land could be transferred to build housing near transit stops. At least 40% of the homes would have to stay affordable for lower-income families for 30 years. Private developers could get the land only if public or nonprofit groups cannot take it and extra rules are met.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Empty Lots to Housing Act is a House bill committee Action. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Latest action on H.R. 3459: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects local governments, nonprofit housing groups, and private developers that might take over unused highway land and build housing near transit. It also affects lower-income families who could qualify for the reserved homes, along with state transportation agencies and the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Housing, which would have to approve transfers and set key income rules.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it could turn empty or unneeded highway land into homes near transit instead of leaving that land unused or selling it off. That could increase housing options in places where people can more easily use buses or trains. It also matters because the bill requires long-term affordability, which could help lower-income families live near transit for 30 years. At the same time, the bill leaves key choices to future federal decisions, and it does not say how many sites or homes this would actually produce.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Officially: Empty Lots to Housing Act
Unused federal highway land could be transferred to build housing near transit stops. At least 40% of the homes would have to stay affordable for lower-income families for 30 years. Private developers could get the land only if public or nonprofit groups cannot take it and extra rules are met.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR3459. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in Highways and Transit
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
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Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. (5/15/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Empty Lots to Housing Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (Committee Action), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR3459, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
