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Smart growth is an approach to community design that connects housing, transportation, and land use to create healthy, prosperous, and resilient neighborhoods.

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Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

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Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

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Program launch: Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities technical assistance program

The Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS) is excited to announce the launch of the Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities (ZEST) technical assistance program.

By Smart Growth America, March 4, 2025

This free program directly supports community-based organizations working to change health inequities by supporting them through capacity building to reform local land use rules, improve health in their communities, and advance their mission-driven work.

If you are a community-based organization working in, with, and for BIPOC communities to reduce health inequities AND you are interested in how zoning and land use decisions can help decrease health inequities, we invite you to apply to participate in ZEST! Applications are due by April 18, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST.

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In addition to receiving education materials and conducting policy analysis, examples of the types of projects for this program include:

Expanding access to fresh, healthy food in underserved neighborhoods by supporting zoning changes that allow for local grocery stores, community gardens, and corner markets.
Developing a practical advocacy guide to help community members push for zoning policies that promote health equity—such as adopting “complete streets” policies and organizing events to showcase the benefits of walkable, bike-friendly spaces.
Working to change zoning laws so that everyone in the community has access to affordable and suitable housing
New ideas for how zoning can advance health equity in your community and how CZS can help!

If this sounds like a good fit for your organization, we encourage you to apply via our application form. Applications are open until April 18. For any questions on this technical assistance opportunity, please contact Toccarra Nicole Thomas at [email protected].

The Center for Zoning Solutions is thankful for the generous support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in providing funding to work with our community-based organization partners to advance health equity and zoning reform in their local communities.