August 01, 2019Project DesignepaPlanningTechnical AssistancePolicy GuidanceLocal Government

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities

By EPA

Each year the EPA provides technical assistance to about 3 communities to help them address the threats of natural disasters by providing tools and guidance to help them take action to protect the people, economy and quality of life in these communities.

About

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities is an EPA program that provides quick, targeted technical assistance to a few communities delivered by a team of experts with experience in the area of need. The EPA provides a variety of tools, that have demonstrated results.

EPA is currently offering assistance to regional partnerships based on the new EPA and FEMA Regional Resilience Toolkit.

To apply applicant submits a letter of interest, no more than two pages, that includes descriptions of:

  • The regional partnership and geography
  • The disaster risk
  • Support from elected officials, organizations and the public
  • The plan for engaging traditionally underrepresented communities
  • The region’s expected capacity for implementation (policy changes, capital improvements, new incentives, etc)
  • How the assistance will compliment work already being done in the region.

 Project Examples

San Francisco Bay Area

Safe Growth Strategies for the San Francisco Bay Area:

EPA partnered with FEMA on a project to help the Association of Bay Area Governments incorporate resilience to natural hazards and climate change into regional and local land use planning. While focused on the San Francisco Bay area, this project and the final report provide a model other regions and communities could use to assess the vulnerability of their housing and residents and develop strategies to make development safer.

https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/creating-safe-growth-strategies-san-francisco-bay-area

More Info/Resources

FAQs for Building Blocks Program Regional Resilience Toolkit

 

Consult your community’s attorney and financial advisors prior to moving forward with any of these funding options. Any reference in this website to any person, or organization, or activities, products, or services related to such person or organization, or any linkages from this website to the website of another party, do not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of companies or organizations.