Federal Funding Opportunities

Current and upcoming federal infrastructure funding opportunities—including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—have the potential to spur resilient, sustainable, and equitable outcomes for cities.

Investments in decarbonization by developers can have financial returns in the form of lower operating costs, increased property values, and attracting and retaining tenants. In addition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating communities that are less reliant on cars can support developer and tenant ESG goals.

The resources below highlight opportunities for the real estate industry to leverage and/or access federal infrastructure funds to support sustainability, resilience, health, and real estate and economic development goals. ULI will continue to add additional resources here as new opportunities arise.

Please email us at [email protected] with any questions or to share your story of how you have used or leveraged IRA or BIL funds or tax credits.

Article: An Approach to Activating the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund in Disadvantaged Communities (2024)

On September 30, 2024, green banks, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), nonprofits, tribal organizations, state and local governments, and coalitions nationwide received funding from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a historic $27 billion investment by the United States federal government to mobilize private capital to combat the climate crisis. The article explores how to operationalize leveraging the GGRF, which was created to fund the building of decarbonization projects, especially in low-income disadvantaged communities.

Article: Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act’s Incentives for Real Estate (2024)

Provides information related to the benefits of the IRA and how to move past common obstacles.

Article: Restoring Community in Partnership with St. Paul’s Rondo Community (2024)

Details ULI’s partnership with ReConnect Rondo, a community-led effort to repair and restore a once-thriving neighborhood of middle-class Black families in St. Paul, Minnesota. As a direct result of the ULI partnership and the clear vision it established, Reconnect Rondo in 2022 secured $6.2 million in essential funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.

Photo By Photo courtesy of POAH

Article: Federal Funding Opportunities to Create More Resilient Communities (2024)

Provides information on two of the funding programs currently supporting local efforts to promote nature-based solutions and advance community resilience: the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program and the Green and Resilient Retrofit program.

Photo By JBG SMITH

Article: Leveraging Federal Funding Opportunities For Sustainable Development (2024)

Shares considerations related to how real estate developers can access and leverage federal funding and play a role in shaping infrastructure decisions to drive sustainability outcomes in cities.

Photo By Shutterstock

Article: IRA Funding Opportunities for Decarbonizing Real Estate (2023)

Explores opportunities for increased project ROI and decreased carbon emissions associated with IRA funding for decarbonizing real estate.

Photo By Michael Cairns

Report: Transportation Transformations (2023)

Shares promising examples of efforts to reconnect communities through multimodal transportation investments, parks, and equitable development–including by leveraging federal funding opportunities.

Photo By Brandon Jacoby/Unsplash

Article: $2 Billion in New HUD Funds Available for Decarbonization, Resilience in Multifamily Buildings (2023)

Explores the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, which has made $2 billion in funds available from the Inflation Reduction Act to support private owners of HUD-assisted multifamily buildings to make decarbonization and resilience upgrades.

Webinar: A Briefing on the US Inflation Reduction Act (2022)

Provides a briefing on implications for real estate and climate related to the Inflation Reduction Act. Urban Land article summary available here.

Photo By James Corner Field Operations

Article: Historic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Is Coming to the U.S. (2022)

Provides information on what ULI members need to know about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how funds can support equitable decarbonization of the build environment.