July 6, 2010 - HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC) issued Notices of Fund Availability (NOFAs) over the last two weeks for $98 million in Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants and $40 million in local Community Planning Challenge Grants.

The $98 million Regional Planning Grant Program will support metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning that integrates housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments. Another $2 million is set aside for capacity support grants. The Challenge Planning Grants will focus on individual jurisdictions and localized planning, and are designed to target housing, economic development, and land-use planning strategies that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of a related, planned transportation project.

• For Regional Planning Grants, two categories of grants will be available: (1) supporting preparation of Regional Plans for Sustainable Development (RPSD) that address housing, economic development, transportation, energy, water, and environmental quality in an integrated fashion where such plans do not already exist or where they exist but need to be significantly revised or enhanced, and (2) supporting efforts in areas where RPSDs exist but need detailed execution plans or limited predevelopment planning activities in support of catalytic projects. Grants, based on population will range from $1 million to $5 million.

• The Challenge Planning Grant NOFA was issued jointly with the Department of Transportation (DOT), enabling jurisdictions to submit proposals solely for a Challenge grant, or for a Challenge grant and a DOT TIGER II Planning grant through a single application assessed collaboratively by HUD and DOT. Up to $35 million in TIGER II Planning Grants will fund planning, preparation, or design of surface transportation capital investments, such as public transportation, highways and bridges, passenger and freight rail, and ports, that are eligible under the $600 million TIGER II Discretionary Grant program.

Both NOFAs emphasize affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH). Challenge grant applications must include a discussion about how the proposed plan will do so, and HUD will award more points to applications with specific activities and outcomes addressing AFFH. Applications for Regional Planning Grants must develop a regional analysis of impediments to fair housing choice that links transportation, employment, and housing resources in order to promote fair and affordable housing in areas with high opportunities for employment, education, and services. Government entities must submit applications for either planning grant by August 23. Both NOFAs, along with fact sheets and frequently asked questions, are here.