Federal Funding

A blue and white Sound Transit heavy rail commuter trail with downtown Seattle skyline in background.

Judge Blocks Anti-DEI Rules for Transportation, Housing Grants

A second injunction blocks the Trump administration from enforcing new regulations for federal funding.

June 11, 2025 - The Seattle Times

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Texas Eagle Amtrak train pulling into station in Austin, Texas with glass high-rise buildings in background.

Five Key Transportation Funding Proposals in Trump’s Budget

The President’s proposed 2026 budget would keep spending roughly the same for transit and rail and eliminate over $5 billion in funding for EV charging infrastructure.

June 10, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Traffic and old buildings in Manhattan, New York City.

USDOT Could Pull Federal Funding for New York

The federal government gave the state until May 21 to end new York City’s congestion pricing program or risk losing federal funding and project approvals.

May 22, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Screenshot of University Transportation Centers website

Transportation Research Centers Lose Key Federal Funding

The federal University Transportation Center program funds critical transportation research and innovation at 35 consortia of colleges and universities.

May 21, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Sign warning of toxic algae bloom at Lake Erie beach in Ohio.

NOAA Great Lakes Lab Loses Key Funding

Cuts at a lab that monitors water quality in the Great Lakes region could harm efforts to prevent dangerous algal blooms.

May 13, 2025 - ProPublica

Close-up of carved United States Court House sign with eagle seal above a doorway.

Judge Halts New Conditions for HUD, Transportation Grants

The Trump administration attempted to impose new restrictions on federal grants aimed at eliminating DEI programs and aligning with the administration’s immigration policy.

May 13, 2025 - The Hill

Electric vehicle charging station with white cars plugged in

States File Lawsuit Over EV Charging Funds

A coalition of states sued the Trump administration over its suspension of funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

May 13, 2025 - The New York Times

Concrete building wth Department of Housing and Urban Development sign

Blocked, Restored, Blocked Again — Housing Funds in Legal Limbo

Since Trump took office, the administration has blocked multiple affordable housing funding streams. Here's a look at which funds have been frozen, which have been reinstated, and which are in the courts.

May 12, 2025 - Shelterforce Magazine

Complete Streets

How Complete Streets Stands to Lose in the FY26 ‘Skinny Budget’

The President’s proposed budget could cut key resources for active transportation, public transit, and road safety programs.

May 11, 2025 - Transportation for America

Two people on Nashville BCycle bike share wearing helmets loking out over railing at downtown skyline.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding

The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.

May 9, 2025 - WKRN

Pedestrian underpass being built at Wasco Amtrak station as part of CA high-speed rail project.

Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR

The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.

May 8, 2025 - The Fresno Bee

US Department of Transportation headquarters building in Washington DC.

Where USDOT Awarded $3.2 Billion in Grants

The department announced awards for projects that include intercity rail, low-emission buses, and tech-driven transit improvements.

May 8, 2025 - Mass Transit

Black and white photo of refugee camp of small wood cottages in Dolores Park, San Francisco CA after 1906 earthquake.

April Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month

A key federal housing assistance program is in peril, Maui tries to balance housing affordability with its tourism-based economy, and a landmark Virginia law could set a new standard for road safety.

May 6, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

May 2, 2025 - KSL

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Low view of bike lane on New York City street with bike share station next to curb.

Safe Streets Grants: What to Know

This year’s round of Safe Streets for All grant criteria come with some changes.

April 22, 2025 - Transportation for America

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

An engineer controlling a quality of water ,aerated activated sludge tank at a waste water treatment plant.

Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding

The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.

April 18, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.