HUD & DOT Release $68 Million in Community Development Funding

The U.S. Departments of Housingrnand Urban Development (HUD) and Transportation (DOT), in what they calledrn”an unprecedented collaboration” have announced the award of $68rnmillion in planning funds to 62 local and regional partnerships.  The awards are part of a joint programrnbetween the two departments first announced in June to promoternand fund planning where transportation, housing, and commercial development arerncoordinated to make more livable, sustainable communities.</p

HUDrnis awarding $40 million in new Sustainable Community Challenge Grants tornsupport planning to integrate affordable housing, good jobs, and publicrntransportation.  DOT will provide $28rnmillion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IIrnPlanning Grants to implement local plans that will ultimately integraterntransportation, housing, and economic development. </p

ThernDOT funds are part of $600 million in TIGER II funds awarded on Wednesday forrnmajor infrastructure projects ranging from highways and bridges to trains,rnrail, and ports.  One requirement for thernplanning funds awarded under the joint program is that projects planned could ultimatelyrnqualify for TIGER II support.  </p

Atrnthe time the availability of the funds was announced, the two departments saidrnthat the interdepartmental collaboration would provide a single point of entryrnto the funding process for projects that would fall under the two programs andrnthus avoid two separate grant application procedures that might be on differentrntimelines and with different requirements. This is one of several examples ofrninteragency programming that has been initiated by the Obama Administration,rnmost of which have involved HUD.  </p

Examplesrnof the proposals funded on Wednesday include one to design improvements to the ParkviewrnGardens neighborhood in University City Missouri that will foster greaterrnconnectivity to the light rail system, create LEED-certified affordablernhousing, and develop a portion of the Centennial Greenway trail and on-streetrnbike routes. Another funded project is the Allegheny Riverfront Green Boulevardrnproject which will convert 6 miles of rail bed into a green riverfront rail andrntrail corridor extending from downtown Pittsburgh to the eastern edge of therncity. </p

HUDrnSecretary Shaun Donovan said in announcing the grants, “Today two federal agenciesrncome together to produce a win-win for local communities around the country. We’rernhelping local and regional planners connect all the dots in their efforts tornmake their communities more sustainable and livable. These grants will helprncommunities to hit on all cylinders, producing more affordable housing nearrngood jobs and commercial centers which will help to reduce our energyrnconsumption and increase competitiveness.”

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