What challenge faced free slaves who wanted land available under the Homestead Act?

Challenges faced by the freed slaves who wanted land available under the Homestead Act included having to move to the areas where the land was available. Travel was difficult and expensive. Many freed slaves traveled on foot or by any means of transportation they could find and afford. Steamship captains refused to pick them up.

They also faced pressure from the southern whites who did not want their cheap labor moving away.

Once the freed slaves had their homestead, then the challenge was finding the resources to start farming. Buildings, seeds, and farm equipment were needed which required capital.