HUD Awards Grant to SFPRC

HUD Grants in Play Nationwide for Sustainable Communities

For the first time ever, in October 2010 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded grants to 45 communities and regions nationwide to promote and support the development of affordable housing with schools, jobs, and transportation.    And so begins the Southeast Florida Regional Planning Council’s plan of Seven50.   It’s important to read, in their own words, that communities working with the Obama Administration to build sustainable homes will be favored when it comes to federal monies.

 

HUD AWARDS NEARLY $100 MILLION IN NEW GRANTS TO PROMOTE SMARTER AND SUSTAINABLE PLANNING FOR JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Part of Obama Administration’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities WASHINGTON –

For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding nearly $100 million in new grants to support more livable and sustainable communities across the country. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced that 45 regional areas will receive funding through a new initiative intended to build economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.HUD’s new Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program will support State, local, and tribal governments, as well as metropolitan planning organizations, in the development and execution of regional plans that integrate affordable housing with neighboring retail and business development (see attached list of grantees).

Many of the grants will leverage existing infrastructure and all reward local collaboration and innovation.“Regions that embrace sustainable communities will have a built-in competitive edge in attracting jobs and private investment,” said Donovan.

“Planning our communities smarter means parents will spend less time driving and more time with their children; more families will live in safe, stable communities near good schools and jobs; and more businesses will have access to the capital and talent they need to grow and prosper. In awarding these grants we were committed to using insight and innovation from our stakeholders and local partners to develop a ‘bottom-up’ approach to changing federal policy as opposed to ‘top-down.’

Rather than sticking to the old Washington playbook of dictating how communities can invest their grants, HUD’s application process encouraged creative, locally focused thinking.”

Continue here to read the full text of the HUD Press Release issued October 14, 2010

Filed under: Sustainable Development

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