January 25, 2011

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentOffice of Sustainable Housing and Communities

Lessons Learned from the Inaugural Regional Grant Program

HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and CommunitiesA new office within HUDA core element of the Federal Partnership for

Sustainable CommunitiesStaff covering a range of housing, planning,

community development, and regional planning initiatives

$140 million in grant funds in FY2010

The Partnership’s 6 Livability Principles

Context of the 2010 ProgramOSHC began two planning grant programs in

FY2010Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant

ProgramCommunity Challenge Grant Program

There will be capacity building resources provided to grantees of the Regional Planning Grant Program

$98 million allocated to FY2010 Regional Grant Competition

Impressive Results45 regions received grants10 of the 25 largest metropolitan areas are

participating80 million U.S. residents in jurisdictions that were

awarded Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants

13 regions from small communities and rural places6 consortia led by nonprofit organization3 regions driven by tribal leadership$120 million in co-investment from partners leverages

federal investment29 regions achieved Preferred Sustainability Status

Early Trends Across the wide spectrum of grantees, some emerging

trends:

1. Recognition of Livability Principles for Development: 2/3 of awardees recognize Principles as guideposts for development

2. Connections between People, Place, and Plans: 1/3 are using place-based strategies ranging from neighborhood-based economic revitalization to specific pilots

3. Infrastructure is Central: most cited infrastructure investment – be it public transit, water, broadband – as central to their efforts

4. Economic and Workforce Development as an Outcome: nearly all grantees mentioned the program as a driver for jobs and economic development

5. New Partnerships are Forming: from nonprofits to the private sector to traditionally marginalized actors, consortia include a broad, diverse set of players.

6. Integrated Planning is Here: from linking housing to transportation, economic development, job centers, existing housing, and inclusive communities to efforts involving states and working across state lines, grantees want integrated solutions

What Worked WellThe 2010 NOFA advanced several core goals of

OSHC and the partnership:

1. Promoted the Livability Principles 2. Encouraged multijurisdictional cooperation and built

new partnerships and consortiums 3. Recognized small town and rural issues in

sustainability 4. Invested in existing momentum for sustainable

development and reinvigorated innovative regional planning

5. Linked central cities and suburban communities

What Worked WellThe 2010 NOFA advanced several core goals

of OSHC and the partnership:

6. Identified nearly $500 million in demand for regional planning

7. Encouraged high tribal participation 8. Leveraged multiagency federal investment 9. Captured the attention of philanthropy

Lessons LearnedThe application and review process revealed

important lessons for future grant rounds in the following areas:

Next StepsContinue to learn from current grantees, past

applicants, and the field

Review ways to improve the FY2011 NOFA

Prepare for the uncertainty that comes with operating under a Continuing Resolution

Looking to 2011NOFA development process to begin soonHUD can only accept feedback until the

development of the 2011 NOFA begins (HUD Reform Act)

Comments and concerns welcome until then (sustainablecommunities@hud.gov)

Announcement on the website about launch date of next NOFA (www.hud.gov/sustainability)