November 24, 2009 - Connecticut was well-represented Nov. 20 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston when the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy comprehensively explored New England's efforts at housing creation in a smart-growth context. OPM Undersecretary David LeVasseur, 1000 Friends Board Chairman Sue Merrow, Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency Director Carl Stephani, Fannie Mae's Bob Kantor and Shelby Mertes and David Fink of the Partnership for Strong Communities heard key federal officials from HUD and EPA discuss their cooperative Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

Under that coordinated effort, HUD, EPA and DOT will offer $150 million in grants to states, regions and towns that offer attractive proposals to plan housing creation married to smart transportation and land-use policy. Jim Lopez, HUD Undersecretary Ron Sims' senior advisor, and EPA Smart Growth Program director John W. Frece, said HUD, EPA and DOT are committed to the coordinated policy and want to hear more ideas from state partners.

More than 50 New England experts attended the event, one of many produced by the Lincoln Land Institute, a leader in smart-growth policy development. More information about the Lincoln Land Institute can be found at http://www.lincolninst.edu/.