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Last week, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), along with 17 cosponsors, introduced S. 1621, the Livable Communities Act. The Act promotes local leadership to develop innovative solutions that reflect the unique economic assets of communities that will maximize the returns of Federal funding of housing, transportation, and other infrastructure investments. The Livable Communities Act will spur private sector investment, cut red tape, and help federal agencies work more effectively, and create jobs at a time when America needs it most.

The bill would create an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The office would coordinate federal policies that foster sustainable development, and administer HUD’s sustainability initiatives. The office would also award Comprehensive Planning grants, Community Challenge grants, and encourage transit-oriented development.

If passed, the Livable Communities Act will:

• Coordinate public investment to leverage private sector investment;
• Strengthen neighborhoods by connect housing and job centers with transportation infrastructure;
• Streamline local agency requirements and cut red tape;
• Stretch tax dollars with better coordination and alignment of internal operations at the federal level and with communities in the field;
• Encourage economic growth and job creation at the local and regional level.

For more information about the Livable Communities Act, click here to download a one-pager on the bill.

Click here to see if your Senator supports the Livable Communities Act.