Gov. Newsom signs SB 79 (left); Bernardsville’s transit village; Mapping the housing crisis; Amtrak expands Mardi Gras service; Hanoi Metro Line expansion (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
CALIFORNIA—Governor Newsom Signs Senator Wiener’s Landmark Law to Build More Homes Near Public Transit
Press Release, Office of Scott Wiener | October 10, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 79, the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, establishing statewide zoning standards to allow midrise housing within a half mile of major transit stops and on land owned by transit agencies. The landmark law aims to tackle California’s housing shortage by promoting dense, affordable, transit-oriented development. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.
NJ TOD News
JERSEY CITY—Jersey City Advances Two-Tower, 1,000-Unit Plan at 660 Grove Street
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | October 10, 2025
Jersey City’s Planning Board has approved preliminary plans for a two-tower, 17-story development at 660 Grove Street next to the Hoboken Terminal. The Pegasus Partners project will deliver 1,000 residential units—including 150 affordable homes—plus 11,947 sq. ft. of retail space, and extensive amenities.
BERNARDSVILLE—Bernardsville’s Downtown Gains Momentum with Transit Village Designation
Staff, NJTOD | October 8, 2025
Bernardsville became New Jersey’s 37th Transit Village in August 2025, advancing its long-term goal of revitalizing the downtown area around its NJ TRANSIT station. The designation supports ongoing projects such as mixed-use redevelopment at Palmer Square, pedestrian improvements through the Boylan Terrace Walkway, and activation of the historic station building.
JERSEY CITY—Jersey City Approves Development Along Newark Avenue
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | October 8, 2025
Jersey City’s Planning Board approved plans to develop a vacant 0.1-acre lot located just half a mile from the Journal Square PATH Station into a six-story residential building. The development at 475 Newark Avenue will create 20 new residential units and 678 sq.ft. of retail space.
Affordable Housing Challenge by 27 N.J. Towns Rejected by Judge
Colleen Murphy, NJ.com | October 6, 2025
A Mercer County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by 27 New Jersey towns seeking to block the state’s new affordable housing law, ruling they lacked legal standing. The ruling means municipalities must continue preparing housing plans for the 2025–2035 cycle or risk legal challenges.
Poll: Housing Cost Top Issue in N.J.; Voters Want Lawmakers to Take Action
John Harrington, ROI-NJ | October 6, 2025
A recent survey by the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All collaborative found that 90 percent of NJ voters see the cost of renting or buying a home as a problem, and 87 percent want state legislators to take action. Senator Troy Singleton said the results highlight the need for more diverse housing options, which can provide starter homes for younger residents and allow seniors to downsize.
Transit and Equity News
Mapping a Way Out of the US Housing Affordability Crisis
Kriston Capps, Bloomberg | October 9, 2025
Sara Bronin, founder of the National Zoning Atlas, has been awarded a $250,000 Heinz Award for her work mapping zoning codes across the U.S. to make zoning more transparent and help lawmakers advance housing and sustainability reforms. The Atlas has cataloged about 24 percent of the nation’s 33,000 zoning jurisdictions and is influencing housing policy in states like Colorado, Texas, and Connecticut.
NEW YORK—City’s Land Use and Zoning Committees Unanimously Vote in Favor of Jamaica Neighborhood Plan
Shane O’Brien, QNS | October 9, 2025
Two New York City Council committees have advanced the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, which aims to add nearly 12,000 new homes—including 4,000 affordable units—and 2 million sq.ft. of retail to the Queens neighborhood. The plan includes $413 million in community investments for infrastructure, transportation, and public facilities. It now heads to the full Council for a final vote.
CALIFORNIA—Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Increase Affordable Housing in Coastal California
David Greenwald, Vanguard News Group | October 8, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 484, launching a 10-year pilot program to streamline approvals for 100 percent affordable infill housing in California’s coastal communities. The measure aims to boost housing near jobs and transit while reducing pressure to build on environmentally sensitive, fire-prone land.
How the Government Shutdown Is (and Isn’t) Impacting Housing Funds for Cities
Ryan Kushner, Smart Cities Dive | October 8, 2025
As the federal government shutdown continues, previously approved funding—such as Community Development Block Grants and other programs not requiring HUD staff—can still be withdrawn as usual. HUD assistance and housing vouchers will also remain available through November. However, a prolonged shutdown could increase pressure on assisted households and risk lasting reductions in HUD staffing.
Regional and National TOD News
Amtrak Expands Mardi Gras Service as Ridership Surges Along Gulf Coast
Lance Traweek, New Orleans City Business | October 9, 2025
Since launching in August, AMTRAK’s Mardi Gras Service between New Orleans and Mobile has sold out regularly, averaging over 105 passengers per train and carrying 19,000 riders in September. Southern Rail Commission Chair Knox Ross said the strong demand underscores public support for restoring Gulf Coast passenger rail, while local businesses report increased traffic from rail travelers.
ILLINOIS—Opinion: Transit Reform Bill Strengthens Local Decision-Making on Development
Juan Sebastian Arias, Chicago Tribune | October 8, 2025
Illinois lawmakers will soon consider a bill to create the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which will have the power to facilitate development near train stations. Despite critiques from suburban leaders, Elevated Chicago Executive Director Juan Sebastian Arias says the proposal preserves local zoning authority while strengthening public-private partnerships for TOD.
PENNSYLVANIA—Expression of Interest – Short-Term Uses for Parking Lots
Press Release, SEPTA | October 6, 2025
SEPTA has released an Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking community-focused proposals for the short-term use of underutilized parking lots. The plan aligns with SEPTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities program, which aims to transform station areas into community hubs. Applications are due by October 27.
International TOD News
CANADA—The Secret to Vancouver’s Public Transit Ridership Recovery
David Zipper, Bloomberg | October 9, 2025
While North American transit agencies continue to struggle post-pandemic, Vancouver’s regional transit system, TransLink, has rebounded to roughly 90 percent of its 2019 levels. Kevin Quinn, TransLink’s CEO, attributes the system’s strong recovery to its emphasis on service frequency, smart land-use policies embracing density, and a transit-friendly political climate.
VIETNAM—Hanoi Breaks Ground for Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao Metro Line
Staff, Vietnam Plus | October 9, 2025
Hanoi has broken ground on the Nam Thang Long–Tran Hung Dao section of Metro Line No. 2, a $1.33 billion project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the City government. The 7-mile line will feature 10 stations and Vietnam’s first Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model at the Xuan Dinh depot, which will offer transit, housing, and retail.
MALAYSIA—Sunway Property Unveils Transit-Oriented Projects in KL and JB
Wong King Wai, The Edge Malaysia | October 8, 2025
Sunway Property has launched two projects—Sunway Cochrane in Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Majestic in Johor Bahru—to meet rising demand for transit-connected housing in Malaysia. Sunway Cochrane offers 1,296 units across two towers with direct MRT access, while Sunway Majestic includes 1,012 units near the RTS Link to Singapore.