American Rescue Plan

Close-up of spool of broadband internet wire sitting on the ground

Federal Program Funds Broadband in Underserved Areas

The program supports efforts to improve internet connectivity in remote and rural areas.

June 27, 2023 - The Mercury News

View of downtown Los Angeles from a roof in the Fashion District

How L.A. County Equitably Administers American Rescue Plan Resources

L.A. County recently received a 2023 achievement award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

June 27, 2023 - National Association of Counties

Detroit, Michigan

Placemaking Redefined by a New Era of Federal Investment

Six tips for ensuring that new placed-based funding programs, such as the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, achieve the full potential of a new era of place-based federal investment.

December 12, 2022 - Brookings

A photo of the former Heinz factory in Pennsylvania, renovated as condominiums and apartments.

Zoning Changes, Federal Funds Enable Adaptive Reuse Program in Pittsburgh

Funding and zoning changes are likely necessary but insufficient on their own, to borrow a phrase from Nolan Gray. Pittsburgh hopes to deploy both to spur adaptive reuse in the city.

September 26, 2022 - Trib Live

A map highlighting Danville, California, a city located along Interstate 680 in the East Bay Area.

New Downtown Master Plan for Danville, California

The city of Danville, located along the Easy Bay Area’s I-680 corridor, last week approved a new master plan for its downtown, with funding for implementation made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act.

September 12, 2022 - Danville San Ramon

President Jose Biden appears in a collared, button down shirt while signing papers while seated at the desk in the Oval Office of the White House

Biden Administration Awards $1 Billion for ‘Build Back Better Regional Challenge’

The “Build Back Better Regional Challenge” will award $1 billion in grant funding from the American Rescue Plan to projects spanning 24 states.

September 2, 2022 - The White House

New York City Air Conditioners

New York City Issues Nearly All Its Housing Vouchers

After a slow start to the program, the city has distributed 91 percent of the housing vouchers issued through the American Rescue Act. Now housing agencies must help recipients actually find housing.

July 19, 2022 - City Limits

Highway 520

Washington Officials Want to Spend American Rescue Plan Funding on Highway Projects

Despite broader intentions, federal economic relief continues to get redirected to automobile-focused infrastructure.

February 1, 2022 - The Seattle Times

The Laguna Pueblo, a Native American reservation near Albuquerque, New Mexico, is perched on a hill in the sun.

Third Round of Indian Community Block Grant Funding Announced

The American Rescue Plan included $280 million in funding for the Indian Community Development Block Grant program. A third round of funding announced in January adds $84 million to that total.

January 27, 2022 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Detroit

How Legacy Cities Can Leverage Federal Funds for 'Transformative' Projects

Now is the time for cities to make strategic investments to scale up existing revitalization efforts.

October 21, 2021 - The Brookings Institiution

Rent Jubilee

U.S. Rent Debt Estimated at More Than $21 Billion

The National Equity Atlas has been tracking national rent debt, which takes on new meaning since the federal eviction moratorium expired at the end of July.

August 17, 2021 - Marketwatch

Philadelphia Bike Lane

How to Maximize the Local Impact of the American Rescue Plan

A new report provides advice and guidance on how cities, with Philadelphia as its example, can make the most of the historic funding opportunities made available by the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year.

August 13, 2021 - The New Localism

New York Public Transit

Report: Americans are Returning to Public Transit

According to the Federal Transit Administration, transit ridership is up dramatically from 2020 levels.

August 3, 2021 - Transportation Today News

Crude Oil Train

The World's Economic Bailout Came With Huge Environmental Costs

The world collectively spent on $17 trillion economic stimulus during the pandemic. The vast majority of that spending will make climate change and other environmental pollution much worse.

July 19, 2021 - The Guardian

Seattle Transit

$158 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding Going to Seattle-Area Light Rail Projects

New Capital Investment Grant funding was announced earlier this month.

July 19, 2021 - Kent Reporter

Coronavirus

Will CDC's Revised Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People Prolong the Pandemic?

The CDC abruptly changed its masking guidance on May 13 to further distinguish behavior for those who are fully vaccinated from those who are not, prompting states, counties and businesses to end indoor mask mandates and social distancing.

May 17, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Ohio

Building on Recent Planning Success in Akron

Following the success of Planning to Grow Akron, spurring the development of thousands of housing units in the previously stagnant city, Planning to Grow Akron 2.0 will leverage federal stimulus funds to further stabilize the city's housing market.

May 13, 2021 - Akron Beacon Journal

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit as a Model for 'Building Back Better'

Cities have more experience, and examples, than they might realize when it comes to reinventing systems of investment and governance to recover from the economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 11, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Birmingham, Alabama

Federal Stimulus Offers a Chance for Local Reinvention

Cities around the country are making big plans for economic relief funding from the federal government.

April 21, 2021 - The Washington Post

Cleveland, Ohio

Ohio Legislators Restore Public Transit Funding

The state legislature has largely reversed Gov. DeWine's cuts to public transit in the state, but advocates argue the new plan doesn't go far enough to address the needs of transit-dependent residents.

April 1, 2021 - Ohio Capital Journal

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

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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.