HUD AWARDS $2.2 MILLION TO PROMOTE SMARTER AND SUSTAINABLE PLANNING FOR JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN DES MOINES
Part of Obama Administration's Partnership for Sustainable Communities

DES MOINES - For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding $2,200,000 to support more livable and sustainable communities in the Des Moines metro area. The funding
announced today will support Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization of Urbandale through a new initiative intended to build economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.

The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization of Urbandale's plan will create sustainable regional housing, environmental, and land use strategies. It will also provide the opportunity to produce a long-range regional transit plan and a strategic plan for economic and workforce development, both of which are vital components of the
central Iowa Regional Plan for Sustainable Development.

"Regions that embrace sustainable communities will have a built-in competitive edge in attracting jobs and private investment," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "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."

HUD's new Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program will support a total of 45 State, local, and tribal governments, as well as metropolitan planning organizations, in the development and execution of regional plans
that integrate affordable housing with neighboring retail and business development. Many of the grants will leverage existing infrastructure and all reward local collaboration and innovation.

These grants are part of the Obama Administration's Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which brings EPA,
HUD, USDA and DOT together to ensure that the agencies' policies, programs, and funding consider affordable housing, transportation, and environmental protection together. This interagency collaboration gets better results
for communities and uses taxpayer money more efficiently. Coordinating federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services meets multiple economic, environmental, and community objectives with each dollar spent.

The Partnership is helping communities across the country to create more housing choices, make transportation
more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that
attract businesses. At a time when every dollar the federal government invests in jumpstarting the economy is critical, the President's plan ensures that all these agencies are coordinating efforts and targeting resources with precision. Reflecting this new collaboration, these grants were judged by a multidisciplinary review team, drawn
from eight federal agencies and from partners in philanthropy.

HUD's inaugural grants under this program will support metropolitan and multi-jurisdictional planning efforts that incorporate housing, land use, economic development, transportation and infrastructure. This holistic planning approach will benefit diverse areas across the U.S. including $25.6 million split evenly between regions with populations less than 500,000 and rural places (fewer than 200,000 people). HUD is reserving $2 million to help all
of these areas build the needed capacity to execute their plans.

The grants are awarded through one of two categories. One category of grants will assist regional planning for sustainable development where such plans do not currently exist. A second category of funding will support the implementation of existing sustainability plans.

Shelley Poticha, the director of HUD's new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities said, "The response to
this program is huge. We were inundated with applications from every state and two territories - from central cities
to rural areas and tribal governments. This program was designed by people from local government, and incorporated local input at every stage."

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.