Watch and Engage: A Conversation on Sustainable Communities

Posted by White House

Tomorrow, the White House Office of Urban Affairs will host a live chat with the leadership of the Sustainable Communities Partnership, an unprecedented agreement between HUD, Transportation, and EPA to coordinate Federal housing, transportation, and environmental investments. A part of President Obama's broader urban and metropolitan agenda, the partnership aims to break down traditional silos and craft federal programs and policies that take a more collaborative and holistic approach to better respond to the needs of communities.

Last month, the Partnership released a joint notice of funding availability (NOFA) – $35 million in TIGER II Planning grants and $40 million in Sustainable Community Challenge grants – for local planning activities that integrate transportation, housing, and economic development. And, HUD also announced $100 million in funding for Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant program.

We invite you to join us for a live discussion on Sustainable Communities – the progress they’ve made, the funding programs available, and what the future of the partnership looks like – at www.whitehouse.gov/live tomorrow, July 15th at 2:00pm EST or you can submit questions in advance to Planetizen.

What: Sustainable Communities Live Chat
When: 2:00PM EST - Thursday, July 15, 2010
How: Watch and engage on www.whitehouse.gov/live; or send your questions in advance to Planetizen.
Who: Shelley Poticha, Director of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, HUD
Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy, Department of Transportation
Tim Torma, Deputy Director of the Office of Sustainable Communities, EPA
Moderated by Derek Douglas, Special Assistant to the President on Urban Policy, White House

For more information on the partnership, read their latest blog that summarizes their work and accomplishments.