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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced plans to provide up to $175 million in “livability” grants to help urban, suburban and rural communities develop transit options. The grant program will begin accepting applications next week, USDOT officials said in a prepared statement.

Local transit agencies will be able to compete for grants from the pool.

The grant announcement was made on the second anniversary on the creation of the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which is a collaboration between the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Livability grants are aimed at assuring transportation and housing decisions are made jointly, and recognize the “unique character” of each community, according to the USDOT.

“Coordinated transportation and housing planning can make the best use of scarce federal dollars and can help create jobs, lower transportation costs and reduce our dependence on oil,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.