PLACE Program
3530 Wilshire Blvd, 8th Floor,
Los Angeles, CA
90010
(213) 351-7825
|
|
Funding Opportunities for Active Transportation
Active Transportation Program
Caltrans administers the Active Transportation Program
(ATP), which combines several formerly separate funding
sources for bicycling, walking, recreational trails, and
Safe Routes to School. Both infrastructure and programs
are eligible, either as stand alone elements or in
combination. Objectives include increasing the use of
active transportation, reducing injuries to people
bicycling and walking, improving public health outcomes,
and delivering benefits to disadvantaged communities.
Requests must be for at least $250,000 (except for Safe
Routes to School projects). While there is no maximum
limit, it is common for individual cities to request
anywhere from $1-10 million, while multi-jurisdictional
projects often ask for more. More information is
available on Caltrans’ ATP page.
- Please click
here to
access our guide to writing an application for ATP Cycle
2.
- Please click
here to access our guidance to question 4 “impact on
public health” for ATP Cycle 2.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Metro)
Metro is responsible for allocating discretionary federal,
state and local transportation funds to improve all modes of
surface transportation. Metro also prepares the Los Angeles
County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). A key
component of TIP is the
Call
for Projects program, a competitive process that
distributes transportation funds to regionally significant
projects. Every other year, Metro accepts Call for Projects
applications in seven categories: Regional Surface
Transportation Improvements; Goods Movement; Signal
Synchronization and Bus Speed Improvements; Transportation
Demand Management; Bikeways Improvements; Pedestrian
Improvements; Transit Capital; and Transportation
Enhancement Activities). Local jurisdictions, transit
operators, and other public agencies are encouraged to
submit applications proposing projects for funding.
In addition to the Call for Projects, Metro also administers
a program called the
Transportation
Development Act, Article 3. These funds are used by
cities within the County for the planning and construction
of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and may include
engineering expenses, right-of-way acquisition, purchase and
installation of bicycle facilities, and other activities.
HSIP (Highway Safety
Improvement Program) Projects
The
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core
Federal-aid program intended to reduce traffic
fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads
through the implementation of infrastructure-related
safety improvements. Administered by Caltrans,
California's HSIP focuses on infrastructure projects
with nationally recognized crash reduction factors,
though non-infrastructure programs can be included to
support infrastructure improvements. Projects must be
identified on the basis of crash experience, crash
potential, crash rate, or other data-supported means.
About $150 million was awarded Statewide in the most
recent cycle.
Recreational Trails Program
The California Department of Parks and Recreation
oversees the
Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which has both
motorized and non-motorized components. The
non-motorized portion funds off-street bicycle paths,
walking/hiking trails, and equestrian trails that
connect neighborhoods with parks, natural areas, or
other recreational resources. Trailside landscaping is
eligible, but must serve a functional purpose (e.g.,
protecting the trail from erosion). About $8.4 million
was awarded Statewide in the most recent cycle.
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities
(AHSC) Program
The Strategic Growth Council oversees this State
program, funded from AB 32 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
(GGRF) revenues. The program funds land-use, housing,
transportation, and land preservation projects to
support infill and compact development that reduces
vehicle travel and greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions.
Other objectives include improving public health,
serving disadvantaged communities, protecting
agricultural land, and improving mobility and
connectivity. Active transportation infrastructure and
programs are eligible, but usually must be combined with
other elements. The
AHSC program is currently allocated 20 percent of
GGRF revenues each fiscal year, starting in 2015-16.
People for Bikes Community Grants
The People for Bikes (formerly Bikes Belong)
Community Grant Program provides up to $10,000 for
bicycle infrastructure projects and targeted advocacy
initiatives. These projects include bike paths and rail
trails, as well as mountain bike trails, bike parks, BMX
facilities, and large-scale bicycle advocacy
initiatives. PeopleForBikes accepts grant applications
from non-profit organizations with a focus on bicycling,
active transportation, or community development; from
city or county agencies or departments; and from state
or federal agencies working locally. Grants will fund
engineering and design work, construction costs
including materials, labor, and equipment rental, and
reasonable volunteer support costs. For advocacy
projects, the program will fund staffing that is
directly related to accomplishing the goals of the
initiative. Generally, one to two open grant cycles are
held each year.
Alliance for Biking and Walking
Bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations play an
important role in improving and increasing biking and
walking in local communities, states, and provinces. The
Alliance for Biking and Walking’s
Advocacy
Advance Grants enable state and local bicycle and
pedestrian advocacy organizations to develop, transform,
and provide innovative strategies in their communities.
The Advocacy Advance Grants are one-year grants, awarded
two times per year (Spring and Summer) to startup
organizations and innovative campaigns. Through the
Advocacy Advance Partnership with the League of American
Bicyclists, the Alliance provides technical assistance,
coaching, and training to supplement the grants.
Office of Traffic Safety
(OTS) Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grants
California’s Office of Traffic Safety provides grants
for pedestrian and bicycle traffic safety education for
people of all ages. Goals include reducing the number of
traffic collisions and injuries -- both overall and
among specific age groups -- as well as increasing
bicycle helmet law compliance among children. More
information is available at
OTS’ website.
Funding Opportunities for
Healthy Planning, Open Space, and Conservation
Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning
Grants
Sustainable Transportation Planning grant funds are
available from Caltrans for planning projects that
improve mobility and connectivity, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, improve safety, assist low-income communities
suffering from environmental health disparities, and
lead to the eventual implementation of transportation
improvements. For the 2015-16 cycle, two categories of
funding were available: Strategic Partnerships, which
funds large, multi-jurisdictional efforts led by
regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations; and
Sustainable Communities, which supports local-scale
plans focused on a particular city, community, or
corridor. More information is available through the
program website.
SCAG Sustainability Planning Grants
The Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) provides
Sustainability Planning Grants, which are
opportunities for local planning efforts to become
regional showcases for great planning. The program
provides direct technical assistance to SCAG member
jurisdictions to complete planning and policy efforts
that enable implementation of the regional Sustainable
Communities Strategy. Grants are available in three
categories:
- Integrated Land Use – Sustainable
Land Use Planning, Transit Oriented
Development (TOD) and Land Use &
Transportation Integration
- Active Transportation – Bicycle,
Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School
Plans
- Green Region – Natural Resource Plans,
Climate Action Plans (CAPs) and
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction programs
Proposition 1 Grant Programs
Proposition 1 is a State bond measure that funds
projects that contribute to watershed health, ecosystem
restoration, stormwater best management practices, and
the creation of open space. Competitive Prop 1 grants
for Ecosystem/Watershed Protection and Restoration are
administered by various regional watershed
conservancies, the largest of which are the
Santa Monica Mountains
Conservancy and the
Rivers
and Mountains Conservancy. Urban parks can be
competitive as long as they include strong water
conservation elements and serve disadvantaged
communities. The State Natural Resources Agency
maintains a
list of Prop 1 grant programs, and many
conservancies have separate, non-Prop 1 grants of their
own.
Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program
The
Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP),
administered by the State Natural Resources Agency,
offers a total of $7 million each year for grants to
local, state, and federal agencies and to nonprofit
organizations for projects to mitigate the environmental
impacts caused by new or modified transportation
facilities. The program encourages projects that produce
multiple benefits which reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
increase water use efficiency, reduce risks from climate
change impacts, and demonstrate collaboration with
local, state and community entities.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a program of the
National Park Service that provides funds to state and
local governments for planning, acquiring, and
developing outdoor recreation areas and facilities.
California’s LWCF program is administered by the
State Department of Parks and Recreation. Priority
development projects include trails, campgrounds, picnic
areas, natural areas and cultural areas for recreational
use. Property acquired or developed under the program
must be retained in perpetuity for public outdoor
recreation use.
Urban and Community Forestry Grants
The State Department of Fire and Forestry administers
the
Urban and Community Forestry grant program, which
funds tree planting; urban forest planning and
management; land acquisition and reclamation; biomass
utilization projects; and projects that combine tree
planting with one or more water or energy conservation
measures. Applicants must demonstrate that their
projects will contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG)
reduction, and the program emphasizes projects that
benefit disadvantaged communities. Grant awards can
range from $150,000 to $1.5 million, depending on the
category.
Prop A Countywide Competitive Grant Program
The Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space
District oversees this program that distributes funding
from Proposition A, a property assessment that provides
funding for open space projects. Grant-funded projects
range from tree planting to open space acquisition;
hiking and walking trails to beaches; rivers and streams
to wildlife habitat. A call for projects typically is
held in the spring. More information is available at the
District’s website.
*Compiled by County of Los Angeles Department of Public
Health PLACE Program
December 2015
|
|
|
