Donna Shen Tripp

FHWA has clarified that State and Metropolitan Planning Funds can be used for Complete Streets planning activities without the need to match with non-Federal funds -- and that this waiver applies beyond the required spending on these activities under BIL. Hard to get that all in one sentence, but State and MPO planners may want to read on: https://lnkd.in/eCk6Hks3 FHWA encourages States and communities to adopt and implement Complete Streets policies that prioritize the safety of all users in transportation network planning, design, construction, and operations.

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Housing Justice Lab's Prentiss A. Dantzler, Ph.D. has released a new report on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in California and the opportunities and challenges they face in expanding into real estate in a way that is truly salient to underserved communities. The authors identify four key themes: the need for specialized real estate lending expertise, the importance of relationship building within the CDFI ecosystem, the growth of regulatory concerns, and the reifying of social impact considerations. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dG-jEVdm . . . #RealEstate #Report #UofT #housing #California #UrbanPlanning #HousingMarket #Policy #Research

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If you are part of a local historic preservation commission please comment on this federal proposal!! The National Historic Preservation Act is a unique piece of legislation that gave a federally designated role in the historic preservation process to states, tribes and local government. It was the precursor to the National Environmental Policy Act. This proposal will silence the voice of these partners leaving only the federal government in the lead. Property owners could lose the ability to access federal, state and local historic preservation tax credits. The transportation component is extremely problematic and could lead to inadvertent archaeological and human remains discoveries resulting in project delays and cost overruns. The Federal government was very different in 1966 when the National Historic Preservation Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on October 15th, 1966. The original intent of the law, as designed by Washington State Senator Scoop Jackson, was to ensure that the federal government considered federal actions before impacting a significant historic, archaeological or cultural site. States, local government and tribes were given the role of identifying those significant places and working with the federal government to find ways to avoid or minimize harm. The NHPA is a unique legislation for its method of federal, state and local collaboration. In 1966 Senator Scoop Jackson and other members of Congress were concerned with the loss of historic places from urban renewal, and the construction of the interstates and dams. As Congress exponentially expanded in the late 20th and 21st centuries it makes sense that not everything federal action needs to go through historic preservation review. However, we now streamline the 106 process through programmatic agreements where state, tribes and local agencies have a role in determining exemptions and altering timelines. The streamlining agreement process is collaborative and is signed as contract between the parties. The majority of states have programmatic agreements in place with FHWA and their DOTs. The current ACHP proposal, under the guise of program comments, takes away the voice of state, local and tribal governments which has been the centerpiece of the National Historic Preservation Act. During a time when the voice of diverse and marginalized communities should be heard more than ever, this proposal will succeed in muting the views of communities, local governments, tribes and the public leaving the federal government to make unilateral decisions. Leaving the Section 106 process to the federal government and excluding "we the people" was never the intent of the National Historic Preservation Act, a law ahead of its time. Speak up! #historicpreservation #archaeology #nationalhistoricpreservationact #Section106 #localgovernment #NAPC #preservationcommissions #environmentalcompliance #environmentalstreamlining #publicomment

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General Election 2024: Housing policies at a glance! 🏠 🏡 All major parties are committed to banning no-fault evictions for renters. 🔑 Leasehold system reform is on the agenda for everyone. 🚧 At least 1.5 million new homes are promised over the next parliament. #GeneralElection2024 #UKHousing

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The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) commends the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) under the leadership of Director Thompson for its continued bold leadership in promoting equitable housing finance. Earlier this week, FHFA announced the creation of a new Division of Public Interest Examination. The new division will be responsible for supervisory oversight of FHFA’s regulated entities in the areas of fair lending, affordable housing, community development, diversity and inclusion, and consumer protection (including unfair or deceptive acts or practices). It will also be on par with its safety and soundness examination division. FHFA also announced the issuance of a final rule, which will codify in regulation: ◾ The fair lending oversight requirements for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks; ◾ The Equitable Housing Finance Plans (Plans) for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; ◾ The collection of homeownership education, housing counseling, and language preference information on the Supplemental Consumer Information Form (SCIF), which will be reported to servicers; and ◾ New requirements for the Federal Home Loan Banks to report voluntary actions taken to address barriers to sustainable housing opportunities. The final regulation is consistent with FHFA's obligation under the Fair Housing Act to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. NFHA has long advocated for these priorities and believe they are essential to addressing longstanding racial homeownership and wealth gaps. They make good business sense as the nation's demographics are undergoing a dramatic shift, and the majority of new households formed over the next decade will be households of color. Actionable plans are critically important to support borrowers and communities of color as well as older Americans who plan to sell their homes for a comfortable retirement. FHFA’s actions will promote a robust housing market that benefits all borrowers and communities. Removing bias from the home purchasing process strengthens individuals, families, communities, and the economy. Research has shown that we can grow the economy by $5 trillion over a five-year period just by addressing the discrimination that targets Black consumers. Promoting a fairer home financing process will ensure people’s lives and communities are vibrant and they have access to the amenities necessary to thrive. Please read NFHA's full statement: https://lnkd.in/eiBibT3i

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Transit advocacy has a positive impact on communities, but a growing trend threatens transit's future: anti-transit organizations posing as pro-transit experts. Groups like the Cato Institute and the Reason Foundation claim to support transit reform but often aim to undermine public transportation by promoting privatization and reduced investment, ultimately harming transit advocacy and policy. https://lnkd.in/g-crjFaS #transitadvocacy #publictransportation #transitreform #transitpolicy #antitransit

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