President Biden recently released his proposed budget for 2024 which is being actively negotiated in Congress. The budget outlines spending directives for the various departments of the federal government with several impacting the work of Landscape Architects. Here are a few of the more relevant components of the budget and how they connect with the published advocacy efforts of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Increasing Affordable Housing Supply to Reduce Costs
Within the $73.3 billion going to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, $1.8 billion will be allocated to construct and rehabilitate affordable rental housing. An additional $51 billion is directed towards increasing the development of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing.
Regarding the affordable housing crisis, the NAHB explains, "There is no "silver bullet" solution to this crisis. The effort requires comprehensive strategies at the federal, state, and local levels to reduce building costs, boost supply and empower home buyers with a mix of housing choices."
Increase Access to Nature and Parks
For the Department of Interior, the budget allocates $135 million towards developing recreational opportunities for economically disadvantaged communities through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy
Program. $3.8 million is also going to the National Park Service. This falls in line with the ASLA who encourages "policies and practices that proactively recognize and equitably address the needs and concerns of underserved populations, including access to outdoor recreation spaces."

 
Addresses the Roadway and Pedestrian Safety Crisis
The Department of Transportation is receiving $1.3 billion to help fund the National Highway Safety Administration's efforts to reduce roadway fatalities. An additional $60 million will aid the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program to build safe walking and bicycling facilities. This could be good for Landscape Architects.
These directives align with the goals set forth by the Complete Streets initiative which aims to eliminate transportation related fatalities. As a founding member of the National Complete Streets Coalition, the ASLA "promotes legislation that advances well-designed transportation networks that ensure safe, comfortable, and convenient transportation options for all users, regardless of age, ability, income, race, or ethnicity."
Strengthens Climate Resilience for Communities and Ecosystems
$5.7 billion is going to the Department of Interior to address climate adaptation and resilience with a focus on mitigating droughts, wildfires, and severe storms. Another $1.7 billion, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is going towards ecosystem restoration.
The ASLA should be on board with this as they "support the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that promotes sustainable water infrastructure projects, while also addressing climate change impacts, biodiversity, and environmental justice."
Corps of Engineers-Civil Works
While the budget reserves $7.4 billion towards the Corps of Engineers- Civil Works, it does not allocate specific funds. However, the budget does call for an investment into reducing flood and stormwater damage, aquatic ecosystem restoration, seeks to improve reservoir operations, through drought contingency plans, and promote healthier downstream ecosystems. The budget also aims to identify the 10 to 20 communities within the nation that are considered the highest risk for repetitive stormwater flooding and to take the necessary measures to reduce that risk.
Flooding is an important issue for builders and Landscape Architects. The NAHB is working hard to ensure "that federally-backed flood insurance remains available, affordable, predictable and financially stable," with a long history of supporting the NFIP National Flood Insurance Program. At the same time, the ASLA is supportive of legislation that will "increase resources for and strengthen green infrastructure projects related to water projects such as dams, levees, and stormwater systems" as well as legislation that protects coastal communities from risks to human health and safety, including damage to property, infrastructure, and ecosystems associated with climate change.
tinyurl.com/ASLA-Stormwater
tinyurl.com/ASLA-Water-Resources
tinyurl.com/ASLA-Ecosystems
tinyurl.com/ASLA-Outdoor-Spaces
tinyurl.com/ASLA-Complete-Streets
tinyurl.com/NAHB-Affordable-Housing
tinyurl.com/NAHB-Flooding