Mayors, Housing, CD Groups Seek FY 09 CPD Funding Hikes:  Mayors are backing efforts underway in the House to keep Community Development Block Grant funds at current levels in fiscal year 2009, while various housing and community development groups seek an increase to HOME Investment Partnership Program fun... 07/02/2008 4:41 PM

DE Senate Comes Up Short in Eminent Domain Veto Override:  Delaware: State senators, reversing a nearly unanimous passage of eminent domain legislation (SB 245) earlier, fail to override a gubernatorial veto, at least temporarily ending hopes for more land taking restrictions. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) vetoe... 07/02/2008 10:19 AM

Four Communities Likely to Get $1 million from HOPE VI Main Street:  Four communities nationwide are expected to receive $1 million apiece to increase affordable housing units later this fiscal year, as HUD makes $4 million available in HOPE VI Main Street neighborhood revitalization grants. HOPE VI Main Street is de... 07/02/2008 10:17 AM

Institute Launches Green Building Seminars:  A national organization representing commercial, public and residential building appraisers is ramping up its efforts to address green. Though, admittedly, there's not a bevy of green work for its members yet. 06/30/2008 7:50 PM

MD Planning Approaching Recommendations for Smart Growth:  At the behest of progressive Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), a group of appointees looking to bring smart growth to Baltimore in widespread fashion has hit a halfway point in crafting its expected extensive list of recommendations. 06/30/2008 6:36 PM

States, Cities Cash in on EPA Brownfields Program in June:  Several community development projects throughout Rocky Mountain and New England states will share nearly millions-of-dollars through the latest efforts of an Environmental Protection Agency program.  06/30/2008 6:35 PM

Planners: Municipalities, Federal Govt. Must Look at Sustainable Growth:  Todorovich tells CDD smart growth and green housing practices are critical points when addressing some of the largest threats to the U.S., many of which are rooted in infrastructure deficiencies such as the transit system, roadways and both the national economy.  06/30/2008 6:33 PM

Chicago, Portland Providing Sustainability/Smart Growth Templates for Many:  A study from a recently merged architectural firm finds cosmopolitan cities are doing best when looking at architectural, sustainable and transit-oriented design. But some so-called 'blue collar' cities are starting to close the cap.  06/30/2008 6:32 PM

American Entries Surprise in Sustainable Cities Awards:  A majority of the nine winners in a sustainability competition judged by experts across the globe came from the United States -- an outcome that seems to have stunned some even at the Urban Land Institute (ULI). 06/30/2008 6:29 PM

Rural Philanthropy Funds Tough to Come By, But Hope Still Abounds:  Rural communities have long been ignored by philanthropists for reasons that extend from practical -- the areas tend to lack capacity to handle funds -- to false -- that rural people are hard to deal with. Financial giving to rural communities conti... 06/30/2008 5:19 PM