Nevada’s Governor Joe Lombardo has made a strong appeal to Democratic leaders in the state, urging them to back his efforts to get the federal government to open up more land for housing.
He sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and House Speaker Steve Yeager highlighting that a staggering 87% of Nevada’s land is controlled by the federal government. This control, he argues, is a major roadblock for developers who are striving to meet the state’s growing housing needs.
Lombardo, a Republican who took office in 2023, has pointed out that many rural areas in Nevada are “currently constrained” due to the limited availability of land that can be developed.
His letter specifically mentioned Washoe and Clark counties as areas that may soon exhaust their developable land. Las Vegas, as the largest city in the state and the seat of Clark County, is particularly affected by this issue.
In his communication with federal officials, Lombardo has been consistent in his message. He’s been in touch with the President and Nevada’s federal delegation, pushing for the “immediate and systematic release of federal land” to facilitate housing projects. He believes that the Biden administration should take action to alleviate this bottleneck by freeing up more land for state use.
Last year, Lombardo reached out twice to the Biden administration, hoping to cut through what he called “bureaucratic red tape.” His first letter in March asked for more federal land to be released to Nevada, underscoring the need for less regulation. By July, he reiterated his request, urging the removal of obstacles that hinder long-term planning and development.
The governor’s concerns are underscored by the increasing cost of housing in Nevada, a trend that has been exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic. The average home price in Nevada has skyrocketed from $304,194 in March 2020 to $441,190 by February 2025, according to Zillow. That’s a considerable 45% increase over just a few years.
In his January State of the State address, Lombardo made it clear that housing affordability is a top priority for his administration. He introduced the Nevada Housing Accountability Act, which aims to reduce building fees, encourage development, and foster public-private partnerships. This initiative promises to inject “$1 billion in new attainable housing units” across the state.
Lombardo’s plan includes streamlining permits and ensuring that every buildable acre is used for the benefit of Nevadans, rather than being snapped up by out-of-state investors. He’s committed to creating opportunities for housing attainability for all residents. The governor has made it clear that this is a local issue that demands urgent attention and action.
Fox News and Newsmax have both highlighted Lombardo’s efforts, noting the importance of federal cooperation in addressing the state’s housing crisis. The governor’s focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles aligns with the conservative principle of minimizing government interference. His push for local control over Nevada’s land resources is a theme that resonates with many in the state.
Lombardo’s approach is reminiscent of the policies favored by figures like Ronald Reagan, who advocated for reducing federal overreach. By engaging with federal leaders, Lombardo hopes to achieve a solution that benefits Nevada’s residents and aligns with conservative values. His determination is evident in his repeated attempts to engage with the federal government on this issue.
The New York Post has also reported on the governor’s strategic push, emphasizing the potential economic benefits of freeing up federal land. By expanding the availability of developable land, Nevada could see a boost in housing construction, which would in turn stimulate the local economy. This strategy is seen as a practical solution to a pressing problem.
Governor Lombardo’s vision for Nevada’s future is clear: he wants to ensure that the state is well-positioned to meet the demands of a growing population. By advocating for the release of federal land, he’s taking a proactive stance in addressing the housing shortage. His leadership on this issue is aimed at fostering a more sustainable and prosperous Nevada.
While the challenges are significant, Lombardo’s commitment to finding a solution is unwavering. His efforts demonstrate a dedication to improving the quality of life for all Nevadans. The governor’s focus on local empowerment and economic growth is a testament to his conservative beliefs and his vision for the state.
That’s true of federal land in a lot of western states. The federal government needs to release this land to the states for preservation, ranching or development. It should be up to the citizens of those states.
When did congress get the authority to take land from states in the first place? Even the District of Columbia constitutionally required land to be donated by a state or states?
The Constitution directly forbids the Federal government from owning that land. It should all be turned over to the states. Should file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court. Why have we let that go on so long?
That’s all we need is land turned into track land development more land gone and less updated infrastructure. Where are all the environmentalist screaming about losing more green space.
All these politicians want is more taxpayers money they don’t give a sh-t about free land space and wildlife conservation.
Take your track building to your neighborhood and change single family homes into duplexes that’s a better start. Oh not my neighborhood greedy politicians.
Sue that is absolutely what this is about! And as I stated on this site in another article about leaving many forests intact and healthy is mandatory as they absorb the CO2 that all these Climate Change Hoax Fanatics scream about; because the forests covert it to Oxygen so we can live! Just so many scams going on!
Deport all the illegals then you won’t need more housing you created your own problems by not getting rid of illegals. Period
We’re not giving up or natural land for illegals
I agree, Ty. All the illegal-alien-invaders should be thrown out. It’s the domino effect: illegals (and Blacks) move in, people move elsewhere to get away from them.
I see this in my own state. In 2020 there were a lot of decent houses available, but I wasn’t pre-qualified. By the time I got pre-qualified, all the good houses were sold. People from out-of-state moved here.
Here it is 5 years later and the only things available are those new, overpriced, cookie-cutter houses. They’re all made of plastic: roof, floors, windows, siding, plumbing. Even dog houses are better constructed.
Ty; EXACTLY! KICK these ILLEGAL INVADERS the hell out and keep all the TREES!
yeah, okay, so out in the desert, where will the water come from.who will pay the billions to have pipelines go to the newly built homes? visionaries better start thinking on that. you might as well buy land on mars or the sun.
@George: that was my first thought too. Even if they did lay pipelines, they’re robbing some other state of water.
Where I live, perfectly good farmland is being razed to build new houses. Makes me sick. Then the builders NEVER think to build a grocery store there, so people have to drive 10+ miles to the nearest store, which is okay if your car is in good working order, or there’s not a foot of snow, or you’re handicapped or elderly.
Correction: *or you’re NOT*handicapped or elderly.