Land Use and Development

Press release: The President’s budget will devastate communities, especially in smaller and rural communities

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Washington, DC (May 2)—Today, Smart Growth America responded to President Donald Trump’s discretionary budget request for FY 2026, which proposes deep cuts to programs including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnerships Programs, and housing assistance programs—slashing vital housing and community development programs that serve millions of Americans. “President Trump’s budget proposal is … Continued

Land Use and Development

Webinar: Understanding federal brownfields policy, advocacy, and funding in 2025

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Join Smart Growth America, the National Brownfields Coalition, and the Center for Creative Land Recycling for a webinar on Tuesday, May 20th at 3 p.m. ET to discuss the current political environment for brownfields and how you can take action.  It’s a time of change and disruption in Washington and in the midst of it … Continued

Events Land Use and Development

Key priorities for the federal brownfields program

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Brownfield remediation addresses environmental hazards, unlocks new land for housing, and paves the way for economic growth in many communities that have borne the burden of environmental contamination for decades. As Congress considers reforms to the federal brownfields program, the National Brownfield Coalition (NBC)—a non-partisan, smart-growth aligned alliance that advocates for policy change and funding … Continued

Advocacy Land Use and Development

New analysis: Breaking down barriers to housing in Tulsa

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To support Tulsa’s efforts to preserve and expand its housing supply across a range of housing types, Smart Growth America—in collaboration with Housing Forward and The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation—conducted a combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis to assess the structural and systemic factors contributing to the current housing gap. Our recommendations, grounded … Continued

Economic development Land Use and Development Uncategorized Zoning

Opening up federal lands unlikely to move the needle on housing

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Lead researcher and author: Dr. Michael Rodriguez With support from Kate Southerland, Katharine Burgess, and Eric Cova Opening up federal lands for development may sound like a promising fix for the housing crisis. But our analysis shows that very little of this land is located in places where new housing is needed most. Instead, strategies … Continued

Land Use and Development

Climate-informed zoning: How to build more resilient communities for all

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Whenever hurricanes strike, wildfires rage, floods drown, or extreme heat swelters, they leave behind damage and destruction. Extreme weather events like these sometimes result in displacement, with people unable or unwilling to remain in their homes as climate disasters wreak havoc more frequently. But where can these climate-displaced people go? The nation is already experiencing … Continued

Climate Change Land Use and Development Zoning

Financing community growth and sparking prosperity: Five housing projects CDFI financing has made possible

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On Friday, March 14th, the Trump Administration released a new executive order calling for a reduction in personnel and operations at the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) to the bare minimum required by law. In the 30 years since the authorizing legislation was passed, CDFIs have become an essential pillar of community development … Continued

Economic development Land Use and Development

The National Brownfields Coalition testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment in support of EPA Brownfields programs

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On Tuesday, March 11th, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment held a hearing focused on brownfields and economic revitalization in preparation for considering reauthorizing EPA’s brownfields programs. The National Brownfields Coalition was represented by Christa Stoneham, the CEO of the Houston Land Bank, who spoke about the value of EPA’s brownfields programs … Continued

Advocacy Land Use and Development

Nearly 100 organizations show their support for the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act

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The National Brownfields Coalition, with support from roughly 90 organizations, put together a letter in support of the reintroduction of the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act (H.R. 815). This bill, introduced by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) and Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH-10), will allow taxpayers to fully deduct the cleanup costs of contaminated property in … Continued

Advocacy Land Use and Development

Five takeaways from our Eliminating zoning barriers to healthy communities webinar

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Last week, The Center for Zoning Solutions hosted a webinar that explored how eliminating zoning barriers can help to create healthier communities for all to live, work, and thrive. Participants heard from the Honorable John Robert Smith on his experience with smart growth and increasing residents quality of life during his time as mayor in … Continued

Land Use and Development Zoning
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