The relationship between health and the built environment has emerged as an important priority for several federal agencies and programs. The federal interest is driven in large part by concerns about the social, economic and fiscal implications of an increasingly unhealthy population. This concern has spurred a number of federal initiatives that are potential sources of funding and other resources for local efforts to create healthy neighborhoods.

• The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, and Department of Housing and Urban Development have initiated an Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities to provide resources and technical assistance to state and local agencies.
• The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administers a competitive grant program for state and local health departments to develop community partnerships that address obesity, physical activity and nutrition.
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development provides Community Development Block Grants to local agencies, which can be used to improve neighborhoods, increase the supply of affordable housing and attract new economic uses, such as grocery stores, to underserved communities.
• The Department of Agriculture operates a number of programs to provide nutrition services and support community-based agriculture. These programs can assist local agencies that are working to conserve farmland and to promote farmers markets, community gardens and other efforts to increase access to nutritious food.