Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming joined Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Regional Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor to celebrate the third anniversary of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. The interagency collaboration helps communities nationwide improve their access to affordable housing, lower transportation costs and increase transportation options, while protecting people’s health and the environment.
“Three years ago, EPA embarked on this innovative partnership to change how we interact with our stakeholders and bring about change in the community,” said EPA Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming. “The programs and projects that are now in place here in Atlanta and across the Southeast, exemplify what can be accomplished when citizens, states, cities and federal agencies work together. We look forward to continuing this partnership and assisting each of these communities in achieving its long-term economic, environmental and public health goals.
“Atlanta’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities has really allowed us to do the kind of essential projects that invest directly in our communities, reduce transportation costs for our families, improve house affordability, save energy and increase access to work, play and home,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “I applaud the EPA, HUD, the Department of Transportation and Department of Labor for their tremendous efforts. Through this partnership, we can work as a team to support ongoing initiatives, promote economic development and receive technical assistance on vital projects.”
Since announcing the partnership, agencies have dedicated more than $2.5 billion in assistance nationally to more than 200 communities in 48 states to help meet transportation and housing goals, while also promoting equitable development, protecting the environment and addressing climate change. In addition, $238 million has been spent on America’s rural communities.
The partnership, now in its fourth year, works to provide communities with faster, streamlined access to federal resources and programs, and works closely with other states, local governments and federal agencies to ensure that partnership programs use federal resources effectively.
For more information about the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, visit:www.sustainablecommunities.gov/.
