Smart Growth America
(12/19/2013 3:16 PM, Sean McTamany)

In 2010 the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) was awarded $640,000 for Planning for Livable Military Communities, a project to provide improved transportation and housing conditions for families in the US armed forces. The award comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Challenge Grant, which is an initiative of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.

North Central Texas is home to Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Joint Reserve Base. Many of the military families live off-base in surrounding communities including Fort Worth, White Settlement, Westworth Village and River Oaks. Planners intend to use the community challenge grant in a number of studies aimed at integrating smart growth strategies in these surrounding communities.

The NCTCOG will conduct a number studies that will create short- and long-term recommendations to improve transportation options, establish a model building code for greater energy efficiency, and update zoning codes and ordinances.

These recommendations will lead to a reduction in vehicle miles traveled and energy consumption, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while establishing a network of safe and connected neighborhoods. 
They will also help identify locations for military housing that reduce household transportation costs and that are considered affordable by Navy standards.