$40+ Million Joint Funding Notice

The HUD, EPA and DOT programs were announced together to allow applicants to apply to both programs with a single application if their project meets the goals laid out in each. The grants may be used for up to 80 percent of project costs (with an exception for rural areas seeking funding through the TIGER II grants). However, projects that offer higher local funding matches will be considered more competitive.

As part of the Administration's Sustainable Communities Partnership between HUD, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation, two Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) were released for Sustainable Communities grants. In a joint notice on June 21, funding was announced for two competitive grant programs: HUD's Community Challenge Planning grants and DOT's TIGER II planning grants. For the HUD grants, $40 million is available to communities to develop plans and strategies or revision of codes that promote livability and sustainability. Up to $35 million is available through the DOT program and will be available for the planning, preparation, or design of projects that would qualify for TIGER II discretionary grants. Pre-Applications are due within 30 days and final applications are due August 23, 2010. Funding will be awarded by the end of September.

On June 24, HUD also released a notice of funding availability (NOFA) for the Sustainable Communities regional planning grant program. Through this program, $100 million is available for two funding categories: Regional Plans for Sustainable Development and Detailed Execution Plans and Programs. These grants do not require matching funds, but applicants must provide 20% of requested funding amount in leveraged resources such as cash or in-kind contributions.