U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant
Partnership’s second HUD sustainability grant to promote sustainable economy
and community livability in Lacey, Olympia & Tumwater corridor
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Mary McBride today awarded a $763,962 Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant to the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC). The Grant will fund a Capital-Martin Corridor and Neighborhood District Plan to promote sustainable economic development and community livability in the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater, with a focus on neighborhood districts.
TRPC convened the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater, Thurston County, Intercity Transit, the Thurston County Housing Authority, the Thurston County Economic Development Council, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington, and the Washington State Department of Commerce to submit the successful application. This strong regional partnership will develop a coordinated vision, goals, policies and implementation strategies for the three-city, Capital-Martin Corridor, highlighting revitalization of neighborhood districts through infill and redevelopment. While over the last decade, this corridor experienced low residential construction and growing commercial vacancies; the project will promote more variety in housing, employment and transportation alternatives, attracting new residents through lower combined housing and transportation costs.
This is the second straight year that TRPC won a HUD Sustainable Communities Grant. Last fall, HUD competitively awarded a $1.5 million regional planning grant to TRPC in HUD's inaugural round of funding for sustainable communities grants. Today HUD awarded 2 grants in Washington State, to TRPC and the City of Seattle, as part of some $96 million in grants awarded to 56 projects across the country.
“Our region has a proven track record of public and private groups working together on community issues. HUD recognized our strong partnerships and collaboration and is investing in our community’s planning efforts. This grant will build on the success of the Sustainable Thurston project – a project to create a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development with 29 community partners. The new grant will allow the region to take things a step further, and lead to an Action Plan for this vital center of our region ,” said TRPC Executive Director Lon Wyrick.
“Our nation’s ability to compete in a global economy and create jobs is dependent upon how quickly and efficiently we can connect our workers and families to education and employment opportunities.” said HUD Secretary Donovan. “This year we are especially proud that we had a particular focus on funding proposals that included more chambers of commerce and economic development corporations as core partners. These grants will be leveraged with local funds more than doubling the investment and, helping to create new visions for how communities and regions plan for housing, transportation, workforce development and the quality of life of their residents for generations to come. When 52% of the average working family’s income is devoted to housing and transportation costs alone, we know that we have a responsibility to fix that and to provide housing and transportation options that can improve their quality of life and economic stability.”
For further information, contact
Veena Tabbutt, Senior Planner
Thurston Regional Planning Council
2424 Heritage Court SW, Suite A
Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 956-7575
Fax: (360) 956-7815
Email: tabbutv@trpc.org
Website: www.trpc.org
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