HUD ANNOUNCES NEW $2 MILLION GRANT COMPETITION IN HOUSING DESIGN AND URBAN PLANNING
Grants Targeted at Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today said it intends to award competitively some $2 million in grants to architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning schools to stimulate the development of innovative solutions for housing design and urban planning.

The Community Futures grants will create Community Outreach Partnership Centers at which faculty and students either develop housing plans and designs that address community housing needs, or develop long-range plans for communities that address future growth and development trends in metropolitan areas or regions.

Recipients of the grants will receive a total of $250,000 to $400,000 over a three-year period.

"The funds we're making available will help faculty and students conduct research and outreach activities that address key challenges in urban growth," said Alberto Trevino, HUD's assistant secretary for policy development and research. "The grants will also help train the next generation of architects and planners in critical housing design and urban planning issues."

Awards will be made in the housing design category to applicants who work in alliance with cities, financial institutions, landowners and private or non-profit developers to develop case studies of creative solutions to community and family housing needs. The designs should include innovative technologies, be environmentally responsive, include accessibility and universal design principles and address specific market needs.

Awards will also be made in the urban planning category to applicants who investigate ways for communities to address challenges resulting from a burgeoning U.S. population, which is projected to grow from 281 million to 410 million in the next 50 years, with most of the growth in and around cities. The awards will help researchers expand decision making technologies, help communities better assess challenges associated with metropolitan growth, and develop policies, plans and strategies that effectively address these challenges.

Applications are due by June 24, 2003. HUD's Notice of Funding Availability - NOFA, for short - is available on HUD's web site and in April 25 issue of the Federal Register. HUD will conduct a satellite broadcast/webcast on the program on May 14, 2003. For more information about the broadcast contact Armond Carriere at (202) 708-3061.

The funding comes from HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research through its University Partnership Program. PD&R conducts policy analysis and research activities, and maintains information about housing needs, housing market conditions and the operation of existing programs.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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