Today, NHC released a statement applauding the U.S. Senate’s recent introduction of the Livable Communities Act of 2009, which is focused on helping communities nationwide coordinate and integrate their transportation, housing, economic development, energy and environmental needs. If passed, this important legislation would provide $4 billion in grants to help states and cities better plan for affordable housing and transit-oriented development, as well as help to reduce traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption and more.
Introduced in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee by Chairman Chris Dodd and committee members Senators Dan Akaka, Michael Bennett Robert Menendez, Jeff Merkley and Charles Schumer, the Livable Communities Act builds on the Administration’s Sustainable Communities Initiative, which was introduced in March.
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan spoke about the Sustainable Communities Initiative at NHC and the Center for Housing Policy’s “Solutions for Working Families: 2009 Learning Conference on State and Local Housing Policy,” where he emphasized the importance of developing integrated housing, land use, and transportation plans in metropolitan regions. To hear Secretary Donovan’s remarks in their entirety, please Listen Here.