For the first time ever, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said it will award nearly $100 million in new grants, including more than $5 million in the Bay State, to support more livable and sustainable communities.

Local finalists include Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Boston ($4 million); Berkshire Regional Planning Commission in Pittsfield ($590,700); and Franklin Regional Council of Governments in Greenfield ($425,000).

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said 45 regional areas will receive funding through a new initiative intended to build economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.

HUD’s new Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program will support state, local and tribal governments, as well as metropolitan planning organizations, in the development and execution of regional plans that integrate affordable housing with neighboring retail and business development.

"Regions that embrace sustainable communities will have a built-in competitive edge in attracting jobs and private investment," said Donovan. "Planning our communities smarter means parents will spend less time driving and more time with their children; more families will live in safe, stable communities near good schools and jobs; and more businesses will have access to the capital and talent they need to grow and prosper. In awarding these grants we were committed to using insight and innovation from our stakeholders and local partners to develop a ‘bottom-up’ approach to changing federal policy as opposed to ‘top-down.’

The grants are awarded through one of two categories. One category of grants will assist regional planning for sustainable development where such plans do not currently exist. A second category of funding will support the implementation of existing sustainability plans.