Greener, More Cohesive, More Vibrant Neighborhoods: Apply Now For Sustainable Communities Grant

Meghan Bogaerts
Manager, Neighborhood Development
U.S. Green Building Council

Do you know of a community planning a development project with an eye toward sustainability? Spread the word: A new program providing no-cost technical assistance to select communities could help to turn that vision into action, and the application is only open until Nov. 23, 6 p.m. PT.

Local governments are at the forefront of the green movement, uniquely positioned to change policies and regulations and articulate community goals. And they have found numerous ways to make LEED work for them: 442 localities already reference LEED in a variety of ways in their initiatives. USGBC is pleased to partner with Global Green, a national non-profit organization, to provide yet another way for local governments to use LEED to achieve their sustainability goals.

The LEED for Neighborhood Development Technical Assistance Program, administered through Global Green, will offer no-cost sustainable neighborhood design technical assistance based on the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system. LEED for Neighborhood Development provides a nationally recognized method for creating neighborhoods that are walkable, bikeable, and resource-efficient. The local governments who apply should have a target neighborhood (recommended at 10-250 acres in size) where significant redevelopment or infrastructure improvements will be occurring and that could benefit from the application of LEED for Neighborhood Development criteria to this district context or to a planning process. This free assistance is being provided under a grant to Global Green from the US EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program.

Change at the local level can be powerful, yet local governments are often faced with staff and budget hurdles that present challenges to sustainability initiatives. If you know of or work for a local government that could benefit from hands-on assistance to bridge the gap, apply today.