The Livable Communities Act of 2009, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), would foster equitable and sustainable development by providing resources to local and regional communities to coordinate land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure planning. The legislation also establishes the Office of Sustainable Housing & Communities at the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, and an Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities.
Within months of its introduction, the Act has garnered co-sponsors from across the nation, including Sens. Harkin of Iowa, Landrieu of Louisiana, Menendez of New Jersey, Merkley of Oregon, Bennet of Colorado, Akaka of Hawaii, and Schumer of New York.
Contact your legislators, members of the Senate Banking committee and others, to encourage their support for the Livable Communities Act. A sample letter is available. Let your legislators know how funding for comprehensive planning and challenge grants to fund projects identified in those plans will improve quality of life in your neighborhood through increased economic competitiveness, more transportation options, and increased housing opportunities. Encourage them to leverage public-private partnerships by including incentives for employer-assisted housing within the Livable Communities Act.
To learn more about livable communities,