Community-led eTOD in Chicago (right) • Jersey City turns parking into housing • Charlotte’s light rail value • Federal TOD support • England eases housing rules near transit (left, top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
ILLINOIS—The South Side Collective Stepping up to Transit-Oriented Development
Oscar Perry Abello, Next City | August 18, 2026
The City of Chicago awarded E.G. Woode, a collective of Black-owned businesses, development rights to Ashland Greenway, a mixed-use transit-oriented project on vacant lots near CTA’s 63rd/Ashland Green Line Station. The project will test whether redevelopment in Englewood can be led by residents rather than outside developers.
NJ TOD News
NEW BRUNSWICK—EDA, RWJBarnabas Health Pledge $10 Million to Startups at New Brunswick’s HELIX Campus
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | August 21, 2026
NJEDA and RWJBarnabas pledged $10 million to fund innovative health research startups at the new HELIX campus next to New Brunswick Station. The investment is part of a new state initiative to support “Strategic Innovation Centers” that advance research and development across a range of sectors.
CAMDEN—Norcross, Partners Propose 78 Market-Rate Townhouses Near Camden Waterfront
Neill Borowski, TAPinto Camden | August 20, 2026
Developers have proposed 78 townhomes across three sites along the Camden Waterfront. Each site is within walking distance of RiverLINE and PATCO service. The Camden City Council is expected to vote on the proposals in September.
MORRISTOWN—Long-Vacant Morristown Properties Could Get New Life With Major North Park Redevelopment
Staff, TAPinto Morristown | August 19, 2026
Morristown has conditionally designated SJP Properties to redevelop the long-vacant properties along North Park Place and Washington Street near Morristown Station. Preliminary plans call for 200 residential units and roughly 120,000 sq. ft. of commercial space.
JERSEY CITY—Hudson County Backs Plan to Turn Jersey City Parking Lots Into 1,500 Homes
Mario Marroquin, Jersey Digs | August 17, 2026
Hudson County officials are backing a plan to redevelop 10 acres of county-owned land into 1,500 mixed-income homes across four sites in Jersey City. One proposed project near the Journal Square Transportation Center would include up to 700 units, including affordable units.
NEWARK—Op-Ed: Newark Tackling Wealth Gaps That Block Affordable Housing
Ras J. Baraka, NJ Spotlight News | August 14, 2026
In this op-ed, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka argues that federal affordability metrics overlook Newark by using the regional $134,500 area median income rather than the city’s $58,490, reducing access to low-income tax credits. Baraka has introduced four proposed ordinances to expand production of affordable housing.
Transit and Equity News
NORTH CAROLINA— The Triumph and Tragedy of Light Rail in Charlotte
Benjamin Schneider, Planetizen | August 20, 2026
Charlotte’s Blue Line light rail has spurred $7.6 billion in development since opening in 2007, including 34,000 homes and 8.3 million sq. ft. of office and commercial space. However, the lack of value capture or inclusionary zoning has limited the benefits returning to the transit agency and community.
UTAH—Sen. Curtis Talks Public Transit Expansion Ahead of Temple Open House and Olympics
Emily Walker, Deseret News | August 20, 2026
Utah Sen. John Curtis is supporting transit expansion to improve housing affordability, reduce congestion, and prepare for the millions of visitors expected for the 2034 Winter Olympics and Salt Lake Temple open house. The FTA recently approved the Frontrunner 2X project to enter the engineering phase, while Curtis has introduced the Promoting Access to Transit in High-Growth Communities Act to expand access to federal transit funding.
OREGON—New Affordable Housing Now Open at 73Foster
Gabriel Mathews, City of Portland | August 17, 2026
73Foster, a 64-unit affordable housing development with 22 permanent supportive homes for people transitioning from homelessness, has opened for leasing. The City of Portland supported the project through the voter-approved Metro Affordable Housing Bond, and residents will have access to transit, groceries, schools, and other services.
Regional and National TOD News
NEBRASKA—America’s Streetcar Revival Has Seen Mixed Results. Is Omaha on the Right Track?
Jessica Wade, Nebraska Public Media | August 20, 2026
As Omaha prepares to open its streetcar service in 2028, the city plans to learn from the 16 streetcar projects launched across the country since the 2000s. Examples from Kansas City, Portland, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis—ranging from stronger to weaker performers—will inform Omaha’s approach to transit, ridership, and economic development.
CALIFORNIA— San José Leaders Eying More Multifamily Homes in Single-Family Neighborhoods
Joseph Geha, KQED | August 19, 2026
The San Jose City Council advanced a proposal to increase residential density in single-family neighborhoods from 8 units per acre to 32. The proposal aims to expand middle housing and help address the city’s high housing costs.
Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transit-Oriented Development: Options for Congress
William J. Mallett, Congressional Research Service | August 18, 2026
Congress is considering whether to expand or limit federal support for transit-oriented development. Proposed legislation such as the Build HUBS Act would increase support and lower interest rates for affordable TOD, while existing federal programs support joint development and TOD planning.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Opinion: How WMATA Could Help Reduce Building Emissions, Starting in North Bethesda
Linda Cui, Greater Greater Washington | August 17, 2026
Linda Cui, a researcher at Nitsch Engineering, argues that WMATA should require shared energy infrastructure in its future North Bethesda joint development. As the landowner, WMATA could implement shared energy infrastructure across the mixed-use property to reduce costs and emissions.
International TOD News
CANADA—Canada, Ontario Commit $1B for Municipalities Without Development Charges
Robin MacLennan, Ontario Construction News | August 18, 2026
Canada and Ontario are committing $1 billion to help fund housing-supportive infrastructure in municipalities that do not levy development charges. Eligible projects include roads, transit, bridges, and water systems, with applications opening October 29.
ENGLAND—Loosening of Planning Rules in England to Allow More New Homes Near Stations
Rowena Mason, The Guardian | August 17, 2026
The United Kingdom announced plans to ease planning rules for housing near well-connected transit hubs in England, including a “default yes” approach for projects within walking distance of train and tram stations. The reform aims to support the government’s goal of building 1.5 million homes by the end of the current parliament. Critics say the changes weaken local control, while supporters argue they will improve housing access and economic growth.