HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan announced on Thursday, July 28, that $95 million would be available through the Regional Planning and Community Challenge Planning Grant programs. Both programs are entering their second year as part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities—a collaborative effort between HUD, the Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide Americans with sustainable housing and transportation choices.
The Regional Planning Grant program will focus on funding two types of regional planning—1) the preparation of regional plans for sustainable development and 2) the modification of existing plans to conform to the six Livability Principles established under the Partnership. The Community Challenge Planning Grant program will award funds to state, local, and tribal governments to promote sustainability at the local and neighborhood level. Of the available funding for the Community Challenge Planning Grant program, $3 million will be set aside for localities with populations less than 50,000. Pre-applications for the Regional Planning Grant program are due August 25, 2011 and Community Challenge Planning Grant program applications are due September 9, 2011. Those interested in applying can find more information and application materials here.