Grants Signal Shift in Federal Urban Planning Policy

HUD announced this week the formation of a new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, along with $100 million in grants for regional integrated planning initiatives.

1 minute read

February 5, 2010, 2:00 PM PST

By Cathy Duchamp


Seattle Times columnist Joel Connelly says the announcement reflects "radical changes" in how federal urban policy is made.

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan told Connelly: "We are trying to reassert federal leadership and support, but do it in a way that is not one-size fits all: We're trying to reassert a federal presence, but as partnership."

That partnership will be led by HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims, who the agency says "won national recognition for turning King County, Washington into a model for sustainable communities."

Friday, February 5, 2010 in The Seattle Times

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