Part of Obama Administration’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities
By Mara Lee
SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding $5.5 million to support more livable and sustainable communities in two regions within California. The funding announced today by Congresswoman Doris Matsui and HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims will support the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and the California State University Fresno Foundation through a new initiative intended to build economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.
“Regions that embrace sustainable communities will have a built-in competitive edge in attracting jobs and private investment,” said Sims. “Planning our communities smarter means parents will spend less time driving and more time with their children; more families will live in safe, stable communities near good schools and jobs; and more businesses will have access to the capital and talent they need to grow and prosper. In awarding these grants we were committed to using insight and innovation from our stakeholders and local partners to develop a ‘bottom-up’ approach to changing federal policy as opposed to ‘top-down.’ Rather than sticking to the old Washington playbook of dictating how communities can invest their grants, HUD’s application process encouraged creative, locally focused thinking.”
