City Council Agenda and Packet 2010 08 03

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DRCOG's Comprehensive Joint Application to HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program A Request for Local Support Background - federal partnership and availability of grant funding • In June of 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to form a "Partnership for Sustainable Communities." • This federal partnership is focused on improving access to affordable housing, providing more transportation options, and lowering transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide. • The partnership is governed by a set of six "Livability Principles ": 1. Provide more transportation choices 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing 3. Enhance economic competitiveness 4. Support existing communities 5. Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment 6. Value communities and neighborhoods • Several funding opportunities have emerged from the federal partnership, including HUD's $100 million Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant (SCRPG) Program. • This grant program will support multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, and infrastructure investments. Alignment of grant funding with regional priorities • The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Colorado Tomorrow Alliance (CTA), Metro Mayors Caucus (MMC) and Metro Area County Commissioners (MACC) have taken the lead in bringing together a wide variety of partners to develop a joint application for the SCRPG. • This grant program provides a valuable opportunity for our region to leverage our investment in FasTracks and to build on the success of Metro Vision, the metro area's shared vision for the future that establishes a framework for coordinated land use, transportation and environmental planning across the region. Working concept for a grant proposal • Specifically, DRCOG, CTA, MMC and MACC are working with their partners to develop a "Centers and Corridors" proposal to fund the planning, financing, and implementation of transit - oriented development (TOD) and urban centers throughout the region, key elements of Metro Vision. • The proposal builds on the draft Metro Vision goal of accommodating 50% of new housing and 75% of new employment in urban centers throughout the region, which in turn will support other current and draft Metro Vision goals including improving air quality, reducing VMT per capita, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and conserving water. • The proposal identifies two main tasks: 48