Sustainable Communities Competitive

Purpose

Encourage local and regional planning that furthers state goals, including, but not limited to, the goals and best practices cited in the Regional Transportation Plan Guidelines adopted by the California Transportation Commission.

Description

Sustainable Communities Competitive Grants are available on an annual basis and through a competitive application process. Grants are for transportation planning activities such as planning for active transportation, safe routes to schools, transit services, vision zero, complete streets, freight corridors, social equity, integrated land use and transportation planning. The annual call-for-applications is posted on the grants website, which is advertised by Caltrans through various grant workshops for interested applicants. Grant applicants receive an award or non-award email notification in late spring/early summer. A list of award and non-awarded grants is posted to the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program website. Grant Budget: State funds, approximately $17 million total; Approx. $3 million is set-aside for technical projects such as data acquisition or travel model updates; Approx. $500 thousand is set-aside for Tribal Governments; Program Goal: 50% of grants should benefit Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities. Grant Minimum:$50,000 for Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities, including Native American Tribal Governments and rural communities;$100,000 for all others Grant Maximum:$700,000 Who May Apply: The following are eligible to apply as a primary applicant: MPOs with sub-applicants; RTPAs; Transit Agencies; Cities and Counties with compliant Housing Elements and completed Annual Progress Reports; Native American Tribal Governments; and, Other Public Transportation Planning Entities. The following are eligible to apply as a sub-applicant: MPOs/RTPAs; Transit Agencies; Universities and Community Colleges; Native American Tribal Governments; Cities and Counties with compliant Housing Elements and completed Annual Progress Reports; Community-Based Organizations; Non-Profit Organizations (501.C.3); Other Public Entities Local Match:11.47% minimum (in cash or an in-kind* contribution). The entire minimum 11.47 % local match may be in the form of an eligible in-kind contribution. Staff time from the primary applicant counts as cash match.