HUD Sustainable Communities and Regional Planning Grant Awards

HUD announces award of nearly $100 million in grants under the Sustainable Communities and Regional Planning Grant Program

On October 14, 2010, HUD announced the first recipients of the Sustainable Communities and Regional Planning Grant Program. Across the US, 45 regional areas will receive part of the nearly $100 million in funding. This new program will assist State, local, and tribal governments to create and implement regional plans that integrate affordable housing, economic development, land use and transportation to build livable, sustainable communities. As part of the Administration’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities, both EPA and DOT helped develop this program and reviewed applications.

Two awards totally $5.5 million were given in California, including $1.5 million to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) for the construction of housing and employment centers in high-frequency transit areas, including using CEQA streamlining under SB 375. The funds will also be used to integrate natural resources planning with other local and regional planning, and a study of how to better integrate federal, state, regional and local plans, policies and programs.

The second award in California was $4 million to the California State University, Fresno Foundation for the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley’s "Smart Valley Places" initiative. The effort includes 14 Valley cities, Fresno State, regional planners and nonprofit agencies to explore efficient development of housing, regional transportation, and commerce.

Link to HUD announcement

Strategic Growth Council Updates

Strategic Growth Council – Upcoming Meeting October 21st, 2010

The Strategic Growth Council will meet on Thursday, October 21st, 2010, 1:00-3:45 pm at the State Capitol in Room 126.

The following items are on the agenda:

• Planning Grants and Urban Greening Project Grants Update
• California High Speed Rail Authority and the SGC
• California Regional Progress Report
• Health in All Policies Workshops Report Back
• Smart Schools Roundtable Report Back
• Housing and Community Development’s Catalyst Program Presentation
• Regional Advanced Mitigation Proposal presentation

There are two additional meetings before the end of this Administration, November 10th and December 1st.

For more information on the Strategic Growth Council, grants, and meeting materials, visit www.sgc.ca.gov

Urban Greening Grants

The Strategic Growth Council awarded grants for Urban Greening PLANNING at their September 1st meeting. SGC and Natural Resources Agency staff are currently conducting site visits for Urban Greening PROJECT applicants and plan to have recommended awards for the SGC to consider at their November 10th meeting.

Sustainable Communities Planning Grants

The SGC application deadline for the Sustainable Communities Planning grants was August 31st. The Technical Advisory Committee will be reviewing and ranking the proposals and expect to have a list of recommended awards by November 1st for consideration by the SGC at the November 10th meeting. It is anticipated that this may get delayed to the December 1st meeting.