The Livable Communities Act of 2011, A National Policy to Encourage Regional Planning and Sustainable Development

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The Livable Communities Act of 2011 (S. 1621, H.R. 3325) is a federal bill, authored by Senator Robert “Bob” Menendez of New Jersey, that would empower communities to develop livable and sustainable projects and provide grants to districts who plan to implement projects as part of comprehensive regional plans. The bill would give up to 75% of loans to eligible borrowers, for infrastructure development projects, used to support transit-oriented development.

The first three sections of this bill include the table of contents, findings, and the purposes of the bill. Section four provides definitions for terms like comprehensive regional plan, healthy housing, livable community, and location efficient.

Sections five through ten provide details on each component of the bill such as:

• The Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);
• Comprehensive Planning Grant Program;
• Community Challenge Grant Program;
• Credit Facility to Support Transit-Oriented Development;
• Healthy Homes; and
• Ineligibility of Individuals Who are not Lawfully Present

In September of 2011, the bill was read twice and subsequently referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. This bill was not enacted.

Learn More

A Summary of the Livable Communities Act

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Support’s Livable Communities

Read The Livable Communities Act of 2011 (S. 1621)

US Senator Menendez (D-NJ) Introduces Livable Communities Act of 2011

This press release describes the introduction of the Livable Communities Act of 2011 by Senator Menendez in 2011. Seventeen Senators co-sponsored the bill, which promotes coordinated public investments in infrastructure.

Livable Communities Act of 2011-Companion Bill (H.R. 3325)

H.R. 3325, also cited as the “Livable Communities Act of 2011,” is the companion bill to S.B. 1621. It was introduced on November 2, 2011 to the House and referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce. On January 12, 2012 the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.