HUD Solicits Comments on Sustainable Development Planning Grants Program

On February 10, HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC) published a request for comments on its Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program (SCPGP).  The notice does not request applications for funding.  HUD will publish a request for applications later this year.

The program will offer a total of $100 million in grants to metropolitan and rural areas to support the preparation and execution of sustainable development plans, the implementation of existing regional sustainable development plans, and catalytic projects or programs.  The grant program, designed to address housing, economic development, transportation, and environmental issues in a multidisciplinary way, is being initiated cooperatively with the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Agencies that represent small metropolitan or rural areas are eligible for grants up to $2 million.  Agencies that represent large metropolitan areas, those with a population of 500,000 or more, are eligible for grants up to $5 million.

All comments must be received by midnight EST on Friday, March 12.  HUD and its partner agencies will also conduct a series of listening sessions and webcasts to disseminate additional information about and receive feedback on the SCPGP.  Further information will be available at www.hud.gov/sustainability shortly after the publication of this Advance Notice, and through such interactive forums that will be described on www.hud.gov/sustainability.

HUD announced the creation of OSHC on February 4.  With the goal of tying "the quality and location of housing to broader opportunities such as access to good jobs, quality schools, and safe streets," OSHC will be managed by Director Shelley Poticha and will be overseen by HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims.  The office will also address issues related to energy efficiency and next-generation infrastructure.