House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on September 23 titled “Perspectives on the Livable Communities Act of 2010.” The Livable Communities Act of 2010 (HR 4690 / S. 1619) was introduced in February of 2010 and would establish in HUD and Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities to coordinate Federal policies and initiatives that foster livable communities. The office would cover an array of policy areas including: sustainable development, regional planning, energy efficient communities and housing, providing affordable, location-efficient housing choices for low-income persons, transportation-oriented development and smart growth. The act would also create an interagency council on sustainable communities and create a new planning grant program and sustainable challenge grant program.
