Federal Funding

Capitol Hill

Feds Could Take Back ARPA Funding in Debt Ceiling Talks

Aid dollars not yet distributed to states and cities could be part of a Congressional ‘clawback,’ prompting concern from local leaders.

February 16, 2023 - Route Fifty

Overhead view of crosswalk with pedestrian median

Safe Streets Grants Announced

The federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program funds planning and implementation for road safety projects aimed at reducing traffic deaths and building safe infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

February 2, 2023 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Aerial view of Brent Spence Bridge over Ohio River

Federal Government Awards Over $1 Billion to Nine ‘Mega’ Projects

The funding comes from a discretionary grant program aimed at supporting infrastructure projects too massive or complex for traditional funding mechanisms.

February 2, 2023 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Single-story wooden home with weathered paint and "I want to be better" sign

Indianapolis Launches ‘Vacant to Vibrant’ Housing Initiative

The program directs federal funding to the redevelopment of vacant properties as part of the city’s efforts to create more affordable housing units.

January 19, 2023 - WFYI

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

Federal Plan Takes Aim at Transportation Emissions

The U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization is designed to guide federal investment and regulations, focusing on electrification with a nod to transit investment and walkability.

January 10, 2023 - The Washington Post

Three bridges span the Ohio River between Covington and Cincinnati.

$1.6 Billion for Ohio River Bridge Included in Latest Federal Grant Announcements

The Biden administration this week spanned the country to announce over $2 billion in grant funding for bridge projects.

January 5, 2023 - The White House

Worker performing maintenance work on the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City

Feds Release $60 Billion for Roads, Bridges, and Carbon Reduction

The funding comes from last year’s infrastructure law and will be distributed among the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

October 12, 2022 - The Hill

Front of Cecil Hotel, downtown Los Angeles

$150 Million for L.A.’s Unhoused People Go Unspent

The city returned nearly $150 million in federal funding directed to providing shelter and supportive services to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

October 5, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Highway Construction

‘Highway Boondoggles’ Report Highlights Nation’s Most Wasteful Projects

The bipartisan infrastructure law, which directs massive investments to state transportation projects, could fast-track some of the most destructive highway expansion projects.

September 15, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of watewater treatment plant

Where Are American Rescue Plan Funds Going?

Two digital tools track local spending of American Rescue Plan dollars.

September 8, 2022 - Brookings

Tents lining an underpass in Los Angeles, California

Federal Funding To Boost Supportive Housing Efforts

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $365 million package aimed at efforts to reduce homelessness and provide outreach and care for people lacking adequate housing.

June 24, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Transit map for Washington. D.C.

Federal Program To Award $450 Million to University Transportation Centers

The program will fund research on mobility, congestion, safety, and other crucial transportation issues.

June 7, 2022 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

New York Public Transit

Transit Agencies Will Face Challenges in Getting Federal Dollars

While recent federal legislation allocates billions to transit projects, local leaders face difficult choices as they struggle to match federal funds while ridership remains below pre-pandemic numbers.

May 13, 2022 - Governing

Detroit Public Transit

Michigan Bill To Inject Nearly $5 Billion in Infrastructure, Housing

A bill signed by the state's governor, Gretchen Whitmer, allocates billions in federal and state funding to water quality, roads and dams, broadband, and other infrastructure projects.

April 1, 2022 - Detroit Free Press

Cash

Lawmakers Question ARPA Spending

Cities and states say the American Rescue Plan Act has been crucial to keeping the lights on during the pandemic, but some Republican lawmakers denounce spending on projects unrelated to COVID relief.

March 22, 2022 - Route Fifty

Highway Construction

Federal Rules Let States Count More Road Deaths as 'Progress'

The majority of federal infrastructure funding is not tied to federal requirements, letting states set their own targets for road safety and improvements.

March 21, 2022 - The Washington Post

Winter City

Detroit Launches Website To Track Spending of Federal Dollars

A new web portal allows Detroiters to see how the city is spending hundreds of millions in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

March 15, 2022 - Detroit Free Press

Child Bikes

How To Get Federal Infrastructure Funding for Bike Projects

How bicycling advocates can strengthen existing partnerships and make strategic alliances that will benefit cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users.

March 15, 2022 - Cycling Utah

Rendering of Proposed Confluence Parkway at Wenatchee River

Rural Washington's Infrastructure Wishlist

Rural Washington communities want to see federal infrastructure funding allocated to projects in the historically neglected eastern parts of the state.

February 25, 2022 - Investigate West

Klyde Warren Park

Dallas Drafts Infrastructure Wish List

The city hopes to qualify for as much as $3 billion in federal infrastructure funding.

February 23, 2022 - Advocate Oak Cliff

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.