INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES…

The US Housing and Urban Development department (HUD) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced $100 million in grants available through HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program , and up to $75 million in grants available through a joint HUD and DOT Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant Program . Under both programs, arts organizations are eligible to partner with state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), transit agencies, philanthropic and non-profit organizations and other eligible applicants to develop consortia grant proposals. Both programs build on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, an innovative interagency collaboration, launched by President Obama in June 2009, between HUD, DOT and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide more sustainable housing and transportation choices for families and lay the foundation for a 21st century economy. It is said these initiatives demonstrate the Obama Administration's commitment to changing the way the federal government operates by working more collaboratively across federal agencies and making smarter investments. More info 1 / More info 2