Congressman Earl Perlmutter of Colorado and Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut have both introduced legislation, H.R. 4690 and S. 1619, to establish the "Livable Communities Act of 2010" and promote the economic development benefits of sustainable development and community planning.
Specifically, both bills would:
Create competitive planning grants that communities and regions can use to create comprehensive long-term plans that integrate transportation, housing, land use, and economic development.
Create challenge grants that communities and regions can use to implement these long-term plans through investments in public transportation, affordable housing, complete streets, transit-oriented development, and brownfield redevelopment.
Establish a federal Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to administer and oversee the Livable Communities grant programs;
Establish a federal Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities that will include representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies to coordinate federal sustainable development policies.
The bills follow the League's message of building vibrant communties for the 21st century and our Center for 21st Century Communities program.
Arnold Weinfeld is director of strategic initiatives and federal affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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