Precedence will probably be given to mixed-use growth tasks close to transit stations that promote inexpensive housing

The U.S. Division of Transportation at this time introduced the availability of roughly $13.4 million in aggressive grant funds via the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Growth (TOD) Planning. The funding will assist native planning and funding close to transit hubs to advertise sustainable, livable, and equitable communities.

TOD hyperlinks public transportation, land use, and housing to create communities which are related to transit and walkable. TOD planning can cut back transportation prices for American households and cut back their carbon footprint by bettering transit entry to jobs and providers.

“Transit-oriented growth helps form communities the place you possibly can conveniently entry jobs, groceries, medical care, good faculties, inexpensive housing, and extra,” stated U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We’re all higher off when there’s quick access to inexpensive, accessible, and handy methods to get round, which is why DOT is proud to announce this funding to assist transit-oriented growth.”

Since 2015, FTA’s TOD program has offered greater than $104 million to assist communities across the nation plan for brand new alternatives round transit. Previous award recipients have invested funds into artistic and modern tasks, together with work by Phoenix and Tempe metropolis officers who’re remodeling the areas round Valley Metro streetcar and light-weight rail routes to increase housing alternatives and construct sustainable, equitable neighborhoods.

“Transit-oriented growth reduces reliance on single-occupancy automobiles, improves mobility, and reduces greenhouse gasoline emissions and air air pollution. It helps promote transit ridership by creating extra alternatives for folks to entry rail stations, transit facilities and bus stops,” stated FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “By way of this program, we are going to assist extra investments in TOD and assist enhance communities and other people’s lives.”

The Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Growth Planning will assist fund complete or site-specific planning efforts that advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s targets to decrease prices for American households, fight local weather change, and promote equitable supply of advantages to underserved communities. Particular consideration will probably be given to functions that enhance air high quality, advance environmental justice, assist unhoused populations, and promote housing affordability. This 12 months, functions for areas with a decrease inhabitants density or decrease common revenue in comparison with surrounding areas will obtain a better federal funding share. Moreover, functions with a considerable concentrate on inexpensive housing could obtain as much as 100% federal value share assist. TOD grants align with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Housing Provide Motion Plan, which is able to ease the burden of housing prices over time by boosting the availability of high quality housing in each neighborhood.

To use for funding, an applicant should be an present FTA grant recipient – both a venture sponsor of an eligible transit venture or an entity with land use planning authority within the venture hall. To make sure that work meets the wants of the local people, transit venture sponsors and land use planning authorities should associate to conduct the planning work. Please go to our TOD webpage for extra info. The applying interval will shut on October 10, 2023.

Courtesy of Dept of Transportation

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