HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program
Triad Associates
On June 16, 2009, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aligned to form the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Guided by six (6) specific livability principles, this unparalleled partnership agreement directs these agencies to prioritize housing, transportation, and infrastructure investments that advance regionalized efforts to protect the environment, promote equitable development and address the challenges of climate change.
This Partnership also encouraged the Sustainable Communities Initiative, which was funded by the FY2010 HUD appropriations bill. The appropriations bill provided $150,000,000 via the Community Development Fund to create the Sustainable Communities Planning Program. This program seeks to improve regional planning efforts that integrate housing, environmental and transportation decisions.
Six Livability Principles
1) Provide more transportation choices.
2) Promote equitable, affordable housing.
3) Enhance economic competitiveness.
4) Support existing communities.
5) Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment.
6) Value communities and Newigborhoods. |
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Of the $150,000,000 appropriation, $100,000,000 has been reserved for Regional Integrated Planning Grants, which supports the linkage of various transportation opportunities with sound land use planning. The appropriation also authorized $40,000,000 for Community Challenge Planning (CPC) Grants, which will serve “to foster reform and reduce barriers to achieve affordable, economically vital, and sustainable communities.” The remaining $10,000,000 will be used to support and enhance the HUD-EPA-DOT joint partnership and provide funds for research that advances sustainable, livable communities.
HUD has issued an advanced notice and request for comment on the Sustainable Communities Planning Program; however, it is not an official solicitation of proposals for the program. The advance notice essentially provides a preview of how the grant program might be structured.
The advance notice provides that the Regional Integrated Planning Grants program will direct at least $25,000,000 of the funding to Small Metropolitan or Rural Areas, which are defined as having populations less than 499,999 with a maximum award of $2,000,000. The remaining $75,000,000 will be eligible for Large Metropolitan Areas with populations exceeding 500,000 with awards capped at $5,000,000.
HUD will also set aside approximately $2,000,000 for technical assistance services for those awardees that are engaged in the implementation phase of their projects. HUD also expects at least 20 percent of the overall costs of the projects awarded under this grant will include leveraged funding from other public, philanthropic and private sources including in-kind contributions.
HUD’s advance notice states that HUD is considering an eligible entity to be defined as “a multi-jurisdictional and multi-sector partnership consisting of a consortium of unit so general local government and all government, civic, philanthropic and business entities with a responsibility for implementing Regional Plan for Sustainable Development.”
HUD has also outlined three (3) funding categories, which include:
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Regional Plans for Sustainable Development;
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Detailed Execution Plans & Programs; and
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Implementation Incentives
The first funding category is intended to support the preparation of Regional Plans for Sustainable Development, urban design, data analysis, visioning and public outreach strategies.
The second funding category is intended to support inter-jurisdictional affordable and fair housing strategies, land acquisition strategies, regional transportation investment programs, transit-oriented development plans, revenue sharing strategies and economic development strategies.
The third funding category is intended to support catalytic projects that demonstrate commitment to and implementation of the broader sustainable development plans, pre-development costs, capital costs for a regionally significant development, infrastructure investment and land acquisition investments.
Overall, all funded projects must demonstrate that they are substantially consistent with the six (6) Livability Principles, program goals and meet performance metrics.
HUD will award funding by soliciting proposals through a final Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Program, which will be developed after consideration of comments submitted on March 12, 2010.
HUD has released a preliminary schedule to develop the final NOFA for the Program:
March 12, 2010: HUD collects comments on advanced notice
April 12, 2010: Final NOFA published
June 5, 2010: HUD Application Deadline
August 2, 2010: Award Announcement
Triad Associates is currently the League’s Grant Consulting Firm. Their firm, which is known for its expertise in community and economic development, including strategic planning, redevelopment, acquisition, relocation and funding, has brought diverse plans and projects to life by generating more than $580,000,000 for over 120 public, private and nonprofit clients throughout the Northeast region since 1978. Every member of the Triad team is personally committed and dedicated to the success of its clients and the projects that benefit communities.
