One of the Obama administration’s key transportation initiatives has been connecting land use and transportation planning to foster walkable communities instead of sprawl. Recent momentum for the effort has come from both Congress and the White House.  Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) has introduced the House version of Senator Dodd (D-CT)’s Livable Communities Act, while Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) has introduced a similar bill to create an Office of Livability in USDOT and provide similar competitive grants to help regions develop integrated transportation plans. Both would help break down the silos which federal transportation and housing policy traditionally operate in.

The Livable Communities Act (S.1619) would:

• Establish the office of Sustainable Housing and Communities in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Authorize two competitive grant programs ($400M for planning and $3.75B for implementation)

The Enhancing Livability for All Americans Act (H.R.4287) introduced by Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN):

• Establish Office of Livability in DOT
• Authorize $750M/yr for two competitive grant programs (one for planning and one for implementation)

In the 2010 budget, Congress set aside $150M to HUD to help improve regional planning efforts that integrate housing and transportation decisions.  Of that total, $100M will be available for regional integrated planning initiatives through the new Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program.

Who can apply and what types of plans are eligible for the grant?  Before setting the grant rules and guidelines,  HUD wants to hear from you.  The agency is currently seeking input from the public, including State and local governments, regional bodies, community development entities, and a broad range of other stakeholders on how the Program should be structured in order to have the most meaningful impact on sustainable regional planning.

Connecticut residents will have an opportunity to give their feedback in person today from 1pm to 3:45pm in a Hartford listening session hosted by HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman John Larson.