Livable Communities Initiative

Aerial view of a neighborhood

Key Dates

About

November 7, 2024

Stakeholders Meeting     Agenda

November 14, 2024

R1 Governing Board Votes on Recommended Neighborhood Project

The Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) program provides funding for local communities to invest in local economic revitalization, workforce and housing initiatives, and development or redevelopment that connects different land uses and transportation.

The LCI encompasses two programs: Technical Assistance and Implementation.

Through the Technical Assistance Program, neighborhood organizations and non-profits can apply to receive R1 technical assistance hours to complete a subarea study that focus on stabilizing and strengthening their neighborhood through the integration of quality transportation facilities and services with housing choice, vibrant communities, robust economic development, and inclusive growth that spurs strategic reinvestment from both the public and private sector. These studies will be driven neighborhood’s residents and specifically address the most pressing issues the neighborhood is facing, such as sidewalks gaps, traffic safety concerns, street lighting, energy resiliency, flooding, blighted properties, etc. The size and scope of these studies (and associated TA hours) will be based on the complexity of the issues being addressed.

Through the Implementation Program, local governments can apply for funding (awarded through R1) to implement infrastructure projects identified in the subarea studies developed by the neighborhoods. Due to the nature of the implementation funds, only local governments are eligible to apply for the implementation dollars with full support from the neighborhood. 

The funding will be a combination of local, State, & Federal funding and private investments.

Application and Guidelines for Technical Assistance Program

Questions can be sent to Tim Verbeke at tverbeke@r1planning.org

Technical Assistance Program Guidance

APPLY

Call for Projects Timeline

The call for projects is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2023. The four-month process is explained below.

  • Phase 1: Informational Meetings - The month before before the call for projects is open, the LCI Advisory Committee will hold one (1) informational meeting to help explain the program to prospective applicants.

  • Phase 2: Call for Projects - The application window opens, and an optional project abstract can be submitted to Region 1 Planning Council (R1) for preliminary feedback (approximately five (5) business days after submittal).

  • Phase 3: Application Period Ends - Eligible projects will be reviewed by a selection panel, comprised of members of the Livable Communities Selection Committee, and scored based on criteria published in the formal announcement.

  • Phase 4: The Selection Committee will release a prioritized recommendations of projects for a 30-day public comment period. During the 30-day comment period, finalists will be asked to present their projects to R1’s Community Advisory Forum (CAF). The R1 Governing Board will also be presented with the project recommendations for consideration.

  • Phase 5: Once the committee(s) has determined the proposals to award, successful applicants will be notified.

Program Framework Pillars

While the goals of this program have not been officially adopted some ideas can be pulled from the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities’ six (6) livability principles:

  1. Provide more transportation choices.

  2. Promote equitable, affordable housing.

  3. Enhance economic competitiveness.

  4. Support existing communities.

  5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment.

  6. Value communities and neighborhoods.

Purpose

Map displaying shortfall scores of various areas

Tipping point (middle) neighborhoods are communities that have been stable for middle and working class families, but are teetering on the edge between growth and decline. Interventions to stabilize and reinvigorate tipping point neighborhoods in ensuring a region as a whole can thrive.

However, these neighborhoods have become increasingly vulnerable to economic decline due to local and federal resource being restricted to funding for projects aimed at downtown revitalization and “distressed neighborhoods.” Without dedicated resources for tipping point neighborhoods, the availability of jobs will decrease, housing will continue to become outdated, and markets for homes in those areas will shrink. In many cases, local jurisdictions lack the resources and technical expertise needed to conduct planning efforts in these neighborhoods. To address this need, Region 1 Planning Council (R1) has created the Livable Communities Initiative (LCI) Program.

Case Studies

The following case studies provide examples of similar programs that have had success planning and implementing community plans.

Contact

Sydney Turner - Director of Regional Planning
Phone: 815-319-4185 | Email: sturner@r1planning.org