The federal government offered to $24 million to create a loan pool in struggling areas of North St. Louis County—most infamously displayed to the country over the past year in the intense racial conflicts centering around Ferguson.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced "the allocation of more than $26 million from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for St. Louis County, Missouri," according to a release from the county of St. Louis. Making up the bulk of that total, "St. Louis County received $24 million under the Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program to establish a loan pool for community development projects." In addition to the $24 million, HUD granted $2.4 million in Declared Disaster Recovery Funds for areas damaged by tornadoes and severe storms in 2013.
Local news station KVHS reports more detail about how the money will be spent: "St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger says much of the money is expected to go to north St. Louis County, including Ferguson, where economic disparity became a focal point during unrest that followed the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer last year."
The Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program can found projects ranging from "transit-oriented development; mixed-use commercial, retail and multi-family rental development; business development loans; and public infrastructure and facilities, including collaborative projects that cross municipal borders," according to the press release.
How Federal Policy Can Support More Affordable Housing in Exclusionary Communities
The recently funded “Yes In My Back Yard” federal grant program provides support for local and state governments to implement housing policy reforms, but it doesn’t go far enough to undo the exclusionary practices of wealthy communities.
Los Angeles County First to Recommend Resumption of Indoor Masking
Due to the emergence of the more transmissible Delta variant, Los Angeles County's masking guidance goes beyond what the CDC and the state health department recommend for those who are fully vaccinated. St. Louis has joined them.
More Cities and Counties Arming Renters Against Source of Income Discrimination
St. Louis County is considering fair housing legislation that would prevent source of income discrimination, as many cities in the region have already done, and many more are also considering.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway
The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.
Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot
The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.
NYC Delivery ‘Microhubs’ Aim to Cut Down on Truck Pollution
The hubs are designed to provide parking for large delivery trucks, which can pass on their cargo to bikes or other zero-emission vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions