Houston METRO Award Will Advance Equity, Promote Housing Affordability

FTA has awarded the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX, (Houston METRO) $1.2 million to plan for transit-oriented development (TOD) along the proposed Gulfton Corridor BRT line. The funding will enable the creation of a comprehensive TOD strategy focused on enhancing mobility, housing, and community development in one of Houston’s most transit-dependent areas.

“This is an exciting step toward Gulfton’s revitalization,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “This collaboration goes beyond improving transit access. Working together with all levels of government and community leaders, we are making meaningful upgrades that will make it easier for residents to go to work, enjoy recreational activities, and access essential services, all while attracting new resources and businesses to the area.”

A joint effort among METRO, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire, the project aims to attract public and private investment and establish a community-supported vision for TOD. The initiative will also explore green infrastructure solutions to address urban heat and flooding. The grant is expected to fund the entire TOD planning process, including extensive community engagement and detailed station area analysis.

“Increasing and improving affordable housing near public transportation is especially crucial in Gulfton, where residents are five times more likely to ride transit than the average Houstonian,” said Briones. “This grant will amplify and accelerate Harris County Precinct 4 work in this area, which has waited far too long for investment. I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for their commitment to advancing equity and promoting housing affordability, and I thank Chair Gonzalez Brock and Mayor Whitmire for their leadership and partnership.”