Sustainable Communities Program Call for Applications

Overview

Call for Applications ImageFollowing the adoption of Connect SoCal every four years, SCAG releases Calls for Applications on a rolling basis to provide local technical assistance in support of Connect SoCal implementation. SCAG develops funding categories in alignment with the goals and policy direction of the adopted Connect SoCal to support implementation of shared regional planning goals and meet the needs of local communities.  

SCP Goals

  • Provide needed planning resources to local jurisdictions for active and multimodal transportation, sustainability, land use, and affordable housing;

  • Promote, address and ensure health and equity in regional land use and transportation planning and close the gap of racial injustice and better serve communities of color;

  • Encourage regional planning strategies to reduce motorized vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in environmental justice communities where there is the highest need for air quality improvements;

  • Develop local plans that support the implementation of key strategies and goals outlined in Connect SoCal’s Sustainable Communities Strategy;

  • Develop resources that support the key strategies and policy direction of the adopted Connect SoCal; 

  • Support a resilient region that looks at climate adaptation and public health preparedness as key strategies to address community prosperity, transportation safety, economic recovery and sustainability; and

  • Increase the region’s competitiveness for federal and state funds, including, but not limited to the California Active Transportation Program and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds.

Call for Applications

SCP Project List Per Regional Council Adoption

Civic Engagement, Equity & Environmental Justice Call for Applications closed on June 5, 2023

Smart Cities & Mobility Innovations Call for Applications closed on April 23, 2021.

Housing & Sustainable Development Call for Applications closed January 29, 2021.

Active Transportation & Safety Call for Applications closed December 11, 2020.

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Civic Engagement, Equity & Environmental Justice

The Sustainable Communities Program Call for Applications for Civic Engagement, Equity & Environmental Justice (SCP CEEEJ) was released on April 12, 2023 and closed on June 5, 2023. 

The four primary goals of SCP CEEEJ are to:​ 

  • Support the development of plans to close the racial equity gap​ 
  • Support a range of land use and transportation planning activities, as well as housing supportive infrastructure projects. ​ 
  • Prioritize efforts that directly benefit priority populations.   ​ 
  • Encourage equitable partnerships between CBOs and local agencies. 

SCP CEEEJ Program Guidelines

Award Recipients

SCAG’s Regional Council approved funding recommendations for 11 projects, including fully funding nine projects, and partially funding two proposals.  Awards are split across two project categories: $2.3 million invested in projects to develop housing and land use strategies, and nearly $2 million invested in projects to realize multimodal communities. 

MULTIMODAL COMMUNITIES (SB1) 

Los Angeles 
  • City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation: Reconnecting MacArthur Park ($500,000) 
  • City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services: Linking Warner Center as an Active Transportation Hub to Jobs and Housing ($499,701) 
  • County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works: East LA Moves / El Este Se Mueve Mobility Corridor Plans ($454,586) 
Riverside 
  • City of Moreno Valley: Pedestrian Access Plan ($294,018) 
San Bernardino 
  • San Bernardino County Transportation Authority / San Bernardino Council of Governments: Active Transportation Priority Projects Outreach and Engagement ($294,765) 

HOUSING AND LAND USE STRATEGIES (REAP 2.0) 

Los Angeles 
  • City of La Puente: Mixed Use Development for Underutilized Commercial Zones ($427,350) 
  • City of Lancaster: Transit-Oriented Development Zones Update ($230,560) 
Orange 
  • City of Laguna Beach: Environmental Impact Report – Downtown Specific Plan Phase II ($200,000) 
  • City of Santa Ana: Transformative Engagement for Zoning Code Update ($469,700) 
Riverside 
  • City of Jurupa Valley: Pedley Town Center Plan – Implementation ($478,894) 
Ventura 
  • County of Ventura, Resources Management Agency, Planning Division: Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan ($499,991) 
SCP CEEEJ Project Categories 

SCP CEEEJ has two project categories: 

  • Housing and Land Use Strategies 
  • Multimodal Communities 

The project categories are funded through separate funding sources which each have their own objectives. Projects in each category must meet all objectives for the funding source. Applicants shall strive for innovative and impactful approaches that produce transformative, visible, and measurable projects and results. 

For more information on Project Types please reference the Applicant Toolkit

Housing & Land Use 

SCP CEEJ Housing & Land Use Strategies projects will be funded funded with REAP 2.0.  

All projects funded with REAP 2.0 must achieve the following REAP 2.0 funding objectives:  

  • Be located in an infill area.
  • Accelerate infill development. 
  • Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). 
  • Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH). 
  • Meet the definition of a “Transformative Planning and Implementation Activity,” as defined in Appendix 3: SCAG REAP 2.0 Program Glossary of Terms.
  • Support the implementation of Connect SoCal. 

Multimodal Communities 

SCP CEEEJ Multimodal Communities projects will be funded through SB 1. 

All projects funded with SB 1 must achieve the following funding objectives: 

  • Have a direct transportation nexus that directly benefits the multi-modal transportation system.
  • Support the implementation of Connect SoCal.
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs); and
  • Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT). 

Key Milestones

SCP CEEEJ Milestones Date
Call for Applications Opens  Wednesday, April 12, 2023 
Call for Applications Submission Deadline  Monday, June 5, 2023 at 5 p.m.
Regional Council Recommendation  Thursday, October 5, 2023  
Final Work and Invoices Submitted  Wednesday, December 31, 2025 
Contact

For questions regarding SCP CEEEJ Call for Applications, please contact:

Lyndsey Nolan
Senior Regional Planner
nolan@scag.ca.gov
(213) 236-1935

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Housing & Sustainable Development

The second Call for Applications was released on November 9, 2020, with a focus on Housing and Sustainable Development related projects. Applicants can apply for any of the three project types below within the Housing and Sustainable Development (HSD) Program Area. More details about each project type, program area goals, and the SCP overall can be found in the Sustainable Communities Program Housing and Sustainable Development Guidelines. Please note that in addition to local agencies, cities, and counties, tribal governments are also eligible to apply to this program. The deadline for the HSD Call for Applications is January 29, 2021.

To learn more about the SCP HSD Call for Applications, please view the webinar recording from the December 2, 2020 Application Workshop. The webinar will assist agencies in preparing applications and provide additional information and examples for each project type.

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Active Transportation & Safety

The first Call for Applications was released on September 8, 2020, with a focus on Active Transportation and Safety (AT&S) related projects. Applicants can apply for any of the three project types below within the AT&S program area. More details about each project type, program area goals, and the SCP overall can be found in the Sustainable Communities Program AT&S Guidelines. The deadline for the AT&S Call for Applications was December 11, 2020.

Learn more about the SCP AT&S Call for Applications by viewing our Application Webinar, which were held on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 1 – 3 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. – noon. Materials from the workshops are posted under the Application Resources section of this page.