Our advocacy at Smart Growth America
Federal policy significantly influences development across the United States. At Smart Growth America, we collaborate closely with members of Congress and the presidential administration to ensure these policies foster communities that are economically robust, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable.
Join our email list to become an active advocate for smart growth. As a subscriber, you’ll receive the latest information on legislative initiatives that require support, proposals that need opposition, and various ways you can contribute to making smart growth a standard at local, state, and federal levels.
This bipartisan bill, known as the Revitalizing Economies, Housing, and Businesses Act, aims to increase the availability of walkable areas by offering a federal tax credit for redeveloping non-historic buildings near public transportation (HR 6175).
In response to the alarming increase in pedestrian fatalities, this bill proposes a redirection of federal funds and policies to create safer, more inclusive streets. It involves setting aside funds for Complete Streets projects, establishing design standards, and providing technical support for their implementation.
Our Policy Priorities
We advocate for a shift in federal transportation investments to better reflect the current market’s demand for walkable urban places. This includes supporting changes to the federal surface transportation bill to focus more on transit, regional rail, and infrastructure for bicycling and walking.
We support creating new federal financing methods, such as loans or loan guarantees, to stimulate development near transit stations, as demonstrated by the successful Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation Innovative Financing (RRIF) loans.
To address the challenges posed by contaminated ‘brownfield’ sites, we endorse the continuation and expansion of federal programs like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program and related tax incentives for redevelopment.
The current federal tax system has several implications for housing choices in America. Our coalition, LOCUS, advocates for numerous changes to federal housing programs and tax policy.
These include preserving and increasing the Housing Tax Credit, improving the Rehabilitation Tax Credit, establishing individual Mortgage Savings Accounts and modifying the Mortgage Interest Deduction.
Join our cause
We encourage you to delve deeper into our efforts and join our mailing list for regular updates and involvement opportunities. Together, we can shape a future of sustainable, equitable growth.