Martin L. Livingston, Jr. AICP

On November 12, 2024, the County Council approved the county's updates to the Growth and Infrastructure Policy - it ensures infrastructure is adequate to support development. The policy also ensures the tools that are used for evaluating and mitigating the impact of new development on communities reflect the county's growth context. Montgomery Planning Director Jason K. Sartori on the Growth and Infrastructure Policy: "The 2024-2028 GIP better aligns with the county’s priorities to enhance quality of life in every county community. This update makes the policy simpler and provides greater flexibility for needed new development while ensuring the surrounding community’s transportation and school infrastructure can accommodate that development.” Read our news release for more on the updated GIP: https://bit.ly/4i5v3H4 And check out interviews with two of the project's leads for more on what the GIP is all about.

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How do we change the conversation about housing development in Middle Tennessee? Hear three regional mayors discuss the preconceptions, challenges, and implications of these conversations at our Forum on Growth and Regional Challenges below. https://lnkd.in/dsUkk4Eu

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If we want to reduce the cost of housing, we need to find ways to actually reduce the cost of housing. Here's an easy and revenue neutral way of doing that.

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#AdvocacyUpdate: As the congressional lame-duck session progresses, lawmakers are working to address priorities before the year ends. NACo is advancing key county issues, including disaster relief, infrastructure funding and critical reauthorizations

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Desmond Maaytah, Community Development Administrator with Clermont Community and Economic Development (CED), provided a comprehensive update to the Board during Monday’s session about the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG program, established under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, allocates annual grants to states, cities, and counties to foster the development of urban communities. This initiative focuses on enhancing housing, living conditions, and economic prospects for low- and moderate-income individuals through strategies tailored to the community, planning, and collaborations between government and the private sector. A notable component of this program is the CDBG (Urban) Entitlement Program. This subset grants funds specifically to major cities, those with populations exceeding 50,000, and urban counties with populations over 200,000. The allocation of these grants is influenced by factors such as poverty and housing conditions, with a primary aim to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals or address urgent community needs. The activities funded often include neighborhood revitalization and the development of community facilities. Since 2015, Clermont County has been designated as an urban entitlement, enabling the Board of Commissioners to choose local projects and distribute funds accordingly. This status has allowed the county to support several projects within Clermont County. The county typically receives approximately $1 million annually in CDBG funding. Between 2015 and 2023, the board has allocated nearly $10 million, significantly impacting various community projects. Major projects funded include septic and home repair programs, which provide essential services to residents, and the C.A.S.C. Program. A key focus for 2023 has been a sewer connection program for Newtonsville residents to help alleviate the financial burden of connecting to the new sewer system. Subrecipient agreements for the 2023 and earlier projects, including those for the IPM Food Pantry and OSU Extension Food Science Lab, are being finalized and will be presented to the board this month. The ongoing success of the Community Development Block Grant program in Clermont County underscores the importance of targeted investment in local communities. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and a focus on the needs of low- and moderate-income residents, the county has been able to make tangible improvements to housing, infrastructure, and essential services. As the county moves forward with new projects and initiatives, it remains committed to promoting equitable development and enhancing the overall well-being of its residents.

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, with each month highlighting a different aspect of the program. May focuses on CDBG’s support of public infrastructure activities, such as acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of public infrastructure, such as libraries, community centers, fire stations, flood and drainage facilities, and street improvements. As a provider of program and grant management for CDBG, CDBG Disaster Recovery (DR), and CDBG Mitigation (MIT) allocations, HGA can attest to the crucial role these HUD funds play. HGA supports government agencies, including entitlement communities, with their annual CDBG allocations for public infrastructure projects that improve the lives of low-income residents and eliminate blight. The need for these projects continues to grow, yet the funding has been significantly reduced over the years. We encourage everyone to share your stories about how CDBG grants have been used to improve public infrastructure in your community. https://lnkd.in/eFmykTnY

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In 2023 #pinellascounty #publicworks developed phase I of our asset report card modeled after ASCE's national and state efforts. Employees from across the department worked together to rate infrastructure from stormwater to roads to beaches. #AssetManagement requires moving from reactive approaches to proactive policies and practices. Over the last few years our asset management strategies have resulted in a 26% reduction in corrective work, a 53% reduction in backlogged work, and a 15% reduction in emergency work which equates to a 21.5% reduction in costs. Bottom line it is more efficient, effective, and responsive to embrace a strong asset management ethic. #AWPA #NPWW #AQOLFA 🙌

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Today is the official 5️⃣0️⃣th anniversary of the enactment of the Community Development Block Grant program! 🎉 Signed into law on August 22, 1974, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's CDBG program plays a pivotal role in increasing access to safe and affordable housing and the Disaster Recovery program increases recovery, resilience, and mitigation efforts across the country. IEM is a proud supporter of CDBG projects nationwide. Since 2005, we have been involved in every major disaster appropriation and have supported 🤝 over 500 CDBG programs, projects, and related activities. The IEM team has witnessed firsthand the positive, cascading effects of CDBG programs in community recovery and resilience. 💪 Our team of dedicated experts assists communities in pursuing and managing CDBG-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and CDBG-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) opportunities to assist in disaster recovery efforts and mitigate against future risk. Team IEM is proud to be at the forefront of the CDBG program in our mission to build a safe, secure, and resilient world. 🌎 🌐 Learn more about IEM’s extensive CDBG services: https://lnkd.in/eyeUnDze 📰 Check out our blogs from Team IEM CDBG experts sharing their insights: https://lnkd.in/eh3wtmFu #TeamIEM #IEMCDBG #IEMCDBGDR #CDBG #CDBG50 #communitydevelopmentblockgrant #CDBG50anniversary #disasterrecovery #CDBGMIT #IEMCDBGMIT #disasterrecovery #housing #mitigation #recovery #HUD #HUDCDBG #CDBGDR #longtermrecovery #disasterhousing #disastermitigation #communityresilience #resiientcommunities #disastermanagement #riskreduction #mitigation

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I agree with my friend Ken Poole. “We know why BEA made the decision to stop producing county employment data by industry: they simply no longer had the resources to do the work. The implications will be to reduce the quality of all employment data available from public and private sources alike, which will have wide-ranging implications for many of us who depend on this data to make smarter workforce and economic development decisions. For that, we are truly disappointed.”

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🌆 Big News for Savannah’s Housing Future! 🌆 Last week at the Savannah City Council workshop, members of the City's Housing department gave a presentation on housing affordability, and we’re excited to share some updates with you! 🏠 For over 30 years, housing costs have risen faster than incomes, making it tough for many of our neighbors—including 40% of households—to find affordable places to live. That’s why Housing Savannah, guided by the city’s 10-year Action Plan launched in 2022, has been working hard to turn the tide. And thanks to community support, we’ve been able to help over 1,950 households over the past three years! What’s next? Five major construction projects are on the way for 2024-2025, including affordable senior apartments at the former Coastal Empire Fairgrounds. This is just the beginning—together, we can build a Savannah where everyone has a home they can afford. 💙🏘️ #HousingSavannah #AffordableHousing #SavannahCommunity #HomesForAll #StrongerTogether

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New podcast alert! This week we interviewed Kelly Andrews, CEcD of Pitt County Economic Development. Kelly is one of the 2024 North Carolina Economic Development Association Economic Developers of the year! In this episode we discuss the monumental success of Project Bluefin, one of the county's largest announcements to date and the unique personal and cultural touches that landed the project. Thanks for your expertise Kelly! #economicdevelopment #northcarolina #internationalbusiness The New Economic Developers on the Block; Trey Cash

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🏗️ Exciting progress in housing innovation! Just outside D.C., Montgomery County, MD, is breaking new ground—literally—with the Hillandale Gateway project! 🚧 This new development will bring 463 mixed-income apartments, creating much-needed affordable housing in a region where demand is skyrocketing. What makes it unique? It’s publicly owned housing, but with private market amenities like pools, gyms, and pet washing stations 🏊‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🐾—all designed to serve residents from all walks of life. The county’s $100 million revolving fund is helping fast-track projects like this, offering sustainable, affordable living options without relying on traditional federal funding. This model is changing the game and showing how we can build inclusive, vibrant communities for everyone! 💪🏡 #AffordableHousing #CommunityImpact #HousingInnovation #InclusiveLiving #HomesForAll

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If you're coming in town for #Summit2024 or NCHSA, or if you're in the Atlanta area this Tuesday, please come out and support Atlanta Women's Affordable Housing Network's Drag Queen Bingo, which benefits the Trans Housing Coalition. This event is a blast for a great cause! Did you know: 🌈30% of trans people have experienced homelessness at least once in their life  🌈44% of trans people have been mistreated at a shelter  🌈30% of trans people have been denied shelter  🌈 trans people experience disproportionate rates of housing instability 🌈 trans people are more likely to become homeless because of familial and community rejection 🌈trans people experience roughly 4x higher employment discrimination than the general population and poverty rate 3x that of the general population 🌈 1 in 5 trans people are evicted because of discriminatory responses to their gender identities and expressions Read more about the Trans Housing Coalition's critical work and learn how you can support it here: https://lnkd.in/eHUMZEe2

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The Johnston City Council adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget on April 15, 2024, marking the city's continued commitment to enhancing resident services and overall community infrastructure. The FY 2025 budget will begin on July 1, 2024. This year's budget totals $83.8 million, an increase from the previous fiscal year's budget of $82.1 million. The additional funds will support a range of initiatives, including public safety enhancements, infrastructure upgrades, and the addition of essential staff positions aimed at improving city services. "This was a difficult budget year as we experienced increased costs and inflation pressures, which our residents are also experiencing,” said Mayor Paula Dierenfeld. “The FY 2025 budget reflects our city’s strong commitment to investing in the future of our community while prioritizing public safety. The budget we approved provides the funding necessary to support the high-quality services our residents expect and meet the demands of our growing community. Overall, the budget balances the needs of our city and ensures fiscal responsibility as we move into the future." View the full release at https://lnkd.in/gWwaWaC4. You can also view more of the budget by visiting https://lnkd.in/gTDwHpRc.

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During a recent trip to Charlotte, NC, I learned about a new development called CYKEL Apartments. It's a residential development focused on car-free living. Instead, future residents will use alternative modes of transportation (walking, biking, and transit)."Half of the units will meet affordability standards for residents earning below 80% of the area median income. Not including parking allows Grubb to build below-market-rate units without any public subsidy." It's intriguing to see innovative developments like this emerging and offering urban housing alternatives. I'm interested to see if this is an emerging trend or a one-and-done scenario :). https://lnkd.in/eETMQ-ut

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