Save the Date: RPSD Project Launch

For more information about the project,
please visit the MPO’s sustainability page!

MPO Participates in Capitol Hill Briefing

On Monday, July 11th, Smart Growth America and the American Planning Association hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill regarding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant program. The event featured Shelley Poticha, Director of HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Community Development as well as representatives from three grant recipients, including the Des Moines Area MPO. MPO Executive Director Todd Ashby and Associate Transportation Planner Bethany Wilcoxon traveled to Washington, D.C., for the event. For more information, please visit Smart Growth America’s website.

HUD Sustainability Funding May Be Cut

The American Planning Association (APA) reports that funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) may be eliminated. Additionally, grants awarded during fiscal year 2010 would be rescinded in a proposal under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. This would impact the MPO-led regional plan for sustainable development, which was awarded $2 million. The SCI has been one of the most prominent and effective outcomes of the interagency partnership among HUD, DOT, and EPA.

House Approves DOT, HUD Funding

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 spending bill for the Departments of Transportation and Housing & Urban Development. The House measure offers funding for the livability and sustainability initiatives touted by the Obama administration. The Senate has yet to vote on the bill.

Livable Communities Act Focus of Senate Hearing

According to the American Planning Association, the U.S. Senate’s Banking Committee will hold a formal hearing regarding the Livable Communities Act (S. 1619/H.R. 4690). If passed, the bill would authorize the sustainable planning grant program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Sustainable Communities for multiple years. The hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 9th.

Programs for Sustainable Communities

Are you looking for more information on resources to help make your community more livable? Then check out this new guide from the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These three entities have joined forces as the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which seeks to “provide citizens with access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs, while protecting the environment in communities nationwide.”