GRANTS proposed in the Livable Communities Act

Metropolitan statistical area with a population of not more than 200,000, may not exceed $750,000.

Metropolitan statistical area with a population of more than 200,000 and less than 500,000 may not exceed $1,500,000.

Metropolitan statistical area with a population of 500,000 or more may not exceed $5,000,000.

FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using a grant under the grant program may not exceed 80 percent.

SELECTION.—In evaluating an application for a grant under the grant program, the Director shall consider the extent to which the application—

(1) furthers the creation of livable communities;
(2) demonstrates the technical capacity of the eligible entity to carry out the project;
(3) demonstrates the extent to which the consortium has developed partnerships throughout an entire micropolitan or metropolitan statistical area, including, as appropriate, partnerships with the entities described in subsection (d)(2)(D);
(4) demonstrates a commitment to—
(A) sustainable development;
(B) location-efficient and transit-oriented development;
(C) developing new capacity for public transportation and increasing ridership on public transportation;
(D) providing affordable, energy-efficient, and location-efficient housing choices for families of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities;
(E) creating and preserving long-term affordable, energy-efficient, and location-efficient housing for low-, very low-, and extremely low income families;
(F) revitalizing communities, neighborhoods and commercial centers supported by existing infrastructure;
(G) monitoring and improving environmental quality, including air and water quality, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the redevelopment of brownfields; and
(H) coordinating the provision of transportation services to elderly, disabled, and low-income populations;

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall carry out a project that includes 1 or more of the following activities. There are 27 activities to choose from including:

Implementing land use, zoning, and other code reforms to promote location efficiency and sustainable development.

SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE GRANTS.—

AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the award of grants under this section, $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013, to remain available until expended.

SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM

Metropolitan area with a population of not more than 200,000, may not exceed $15,000,000.

Metropolitan statistical area with a population of more than 200,000 and less than 500,000 may not exceed $35,000,000

Metropolitan area with a population of 500,000 may not exceed $100,000,000.

FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost of a project under this section may not exceed 80 percent.