A reinvented federal lands Homestead Act, where any US citizen can stake a claim to a piece of federally owned property (excluding military bases, national parks, wilderness areas and other federal installations) (think Forest Service and BLM lands) pay a fee, and after a certain timeline and required improvements are made, receive title to that property. The size of each Homestead, should vary by region, climate and the natural resources (water, timber, soils) available. With the objective being for a parcel just large enough for an average sized family to have a mostly stuff sufficient lifestyle and a home. This is probably on the order of 5 acres in a location with a decent climate, water and trees, perhaps up to 160 acres in an area with a harsh climate and limited trees or water.
This policy would boost rural populations, alleviate the urban housing crisis and spur the economy in many ways. All while utilizing what is rapidly becoming only a playground for the rich and powerful, our Federal owned lands, which in the West are over 50% of most states and being poorly managed.
This single act, would change the United States for the better, for many decades to come.
I like this the best of the homestead proposals here. It offers the most freedom from rules and regulations and jumping through hoops, isn’t just for veterans, simply grants every family land that’s their own. Humans (< same root word as humus) can figure out what to do and help each other if needed; we’re hardwired for it, and we love the Earth. I was noticing that the homestead idea could be in practically all the categories here: Health, food, education, economy and so on. It’s a truism that The People need the land and the land needs The People. I’ve liked the Anastasia/Ringing Cedars (“spiritual permaculture”) model for over 20 years; each family is granted a hectare (2.5 acres) to create a “kin’s domain” / "Space of Love / paradise garden. As you say, homesteads in the desert US West would be have to be larger. Our last project (on 17 ha. /42 acres) was rewilding a cow pasture, and it was a total joy. All the diverse native plants and grasses came back, and an animal listed as “extinct” in the country came to live there (we had no dogs) and had a baby there. Personally I relate to the ideas of Findhorn, the Nature Spirits and the re-enchantment of the world, and I know a lot of people do as well, even though these ideas might be considered “out there” by others. RFK Jr. has spoken eloquently about this, the spiritual dimension of our contact with Nature.