Healthy Streets Program

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

TBA

Purpose

To deploy cool and/or porous pavements and to expand tree cover to mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and reduce the extent of impervious surfaces, storm water runoff and flood risks, and heat impacts to infrastructure and communities.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants include states, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPO), tribal governments, and nonprofits.

Decarbonization Considerations

Enhancing tree canopies can help mitigate heat islands and reduce energy needs during high temperatures. Tree canopy can also create a comfortable environment to encourage people to walk and bicycle to avoid carbon emissions. Funding can be used to conduct an assessment of urban heat islands effect and design and implement tree canopy plans for communities and neighborhoods.

Equity Considerations

Grants will be prioritized for low-income or disadvantaged communities. Propose projects that can maximize the benefits by engaging the local community and/or partnering with community-based organizations.

Helpful Tips

This joint UNEP/RMI handbook for local governments can guide planners with examples and best practices: https://rmi.org/insight/sustainable-urban-cooling-handbook/

Other Notes

$500,000,000 in funding eligible over five years.