FTA Announces $10.5 Million to Plan Housing Near Public Transit

FTA has announced the availability of nearly $10.5 million in competitive grant funds for agencies to plan transit-adjacent development. FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning supports local planning and investment near transit hubs to promote sustainable, livable, and equitable communities, with a focus on projects that plan for affordable housing.

“Many Americans spend almost half of their monthly budget on housing and transportation costs, so we’re taking steps to bring those costs down,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The funding we’re announcing today will support developing affordable housing closer to public transportation—helping lower the combined cost of housing and transportation for Americans.”

Since FY15, FTA’s TOD program has provided nearly $122 million to help almost 150 communities plan for new opportunities around transit.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to giving more Americans the opportunity to find a home they can afford and transportation solutions that fit their lives,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “By choosing projects that focus on affordable housing, FTA is proving to communities all over the nation that if you are willing to find new ways to create great housing opportunities, we are here to support you.”

This round of TOD grants will also support the Biden-Harris Administration’s new Housing Supply Action Plan by providing special consideration to applications that promote housing affordability. Applications for areas with a lower population density or lower average income compared to surrounding areas will receive a higher federal funding share; applications with a substantial focus on affordable housing may receive up to 100 percent federal support.

To apply for funding, an applicant must be an existing FTA grant recipient—either a project sponsor of an eligible transit project or an entity with land use planning authority in the project corridor. Learn more at FTA’s TOD webpage. The application period closes July 22.