Massachusetts enacts Affordable Homes Act (right); Jersey City launches online affordable housing portal; Federal funding to remove barriers to affordable housing; Spokane to abolish parking mandates; TOD blueprint for Amman, Jordan (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
MASSACHUSETTS—Governor Maura Healey Signs Most Ambitious Legislation to Address Housing Costs in State History
Press Release, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, August 6 2024
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed the Affordable Homes Act into law, aiming to tackle rising housing costs with a historic investment of $5.16 billion across 49 policy initiatives. This legislation focuses on the construction, preservation, and rehabilitation of over 65,000 homes over five years, including accessory dwelling units, public housing modernization, and conversions of commercial spaces into housing. A key policy initiative within this legislation is to incentivize housing development near transit hubs through the MBTA Communities Law. This law, signed in 2021, mandates that cities and towns served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) zone for multifamily housing within half a mile of transit stations.
NJ TOD News
MONTCLAIR—Montclair Needs More Affordable Housing; Waiting List Grows
Eric Kiefer, Patch Montclair, August 7 2024
At a recent council meeting, Montclair’s significant housing challenge was brought into sharp focus. The current cost of buying a new single-family home in the area has soared to over $1 million. Montclair identified a need for 3,800 affordable units in 2004 but currently has only 775, with 1,555 people on the waiting list. In just the past month, 46 households have been added to this growing list. Over 75 percent of the town’s affordable units are in the Fourth Ward, while the First Ward has only two. Future strategies to address this need include utilizing vacant properties, developing accessory dwelling units, and revising regulations to increase supportive housing.
NEWARK—Developer Secures City’s OK for 42 Apartments in Newark
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark, August 6 2024
Ascension Capital Partners LLC has received approval from the Newark Central Planning Board to transform a vacant lot in the Springfield/Belmont neighborhood into Hill Manor Flats, a mixed-use development featuring 42 apartments across two four-story buildings. This project aims to revitalize the 4-acre spaces, with 20 percent of the units designated for affordable housing. Its proximity to public transit, including Newark Penn Station, supports reduced parking space requirements, highlighting the development’s commitment to sustainable urban living and making it accessible for residents without reliance on cars.
JERSEY CITY—Jersey City Launches New Online Affordable Housing Portal
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs, August 5 2024
Jersey City has launched an online affordable housing portal to streamline access to affordable housing for residents. The affordablehousingjc.com portal allows users to apply for multiple properties, track their applications, and receive updates on affordable housing opportunities. Mayor Fulop emphasized that the portal aims to enhance housing equity and accessibility in the city. Properties at 125 Lake Street and 475 Communipaw Avenue are currently accepting applications through the portal; lotteries are scheduled for later this month. This initiative follows the city’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, which aims to increase affordable housing units in new developments.
RED BANK—What Should Developer Build Next to Red Bank Train Station? Here Is What Neighbors Want.
Olivia Liu, Asbury Park Press, August 5 2024
During a public planning session in Red Bank, about 75 residents shared their input on potential developments for the area around the Red Bank train station, designated as a “Non-Condemnation Area in Need of Redevelopment.” Residents expressed a desire for features like shade trees, open spaces, and affordable housing, while some voiced concerns about parking and traffic impacts. The Borough is working with Denholtz Properties to explore development options, sparking discussions about the impact of the local community and infrastructure.
Transit and Equity News
The Climate Crisis Is Devastating Black Communities. Public Transit Is a Solution.
Kim Smith, The Philadelphia Tribune, August 9 2024
Rochester, NY City Council member Kim Smith highlights how climate change disproportionately impacts Black communities and stresses the critical role of public transit in addressing this inequity. She argues that the transportation sector, as the largest source of U.S. climate pollution, requires urgent reform through increased investment in public transit systems. Smith advocates for congressional support of new legislation, including the “Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act” and the “Moving Transit Forward Act,” to enhance transit budgets and promote sustainable urban development.
Building Housing for All
Tarsi Dunlop, German Marshall Fund, August 6 2024
The Biden Administration has allocated an $85 million grant to 21 U.S. communities to remove barriers to affordable housing by dismantling zoning restrictions, eliminating parking-spot minimums, and updating infrastructure. A recent GMF report identifies six barriers to publicly led housing projects, including zoning constraints and investment challenges. Cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee are addressing these issues by expediting development processes, improving infrastructure near transit, and updating local codes. These efforts aim to increase the affordable housing supply and meet a top priority for city leaders.
Urbanism 101: 15-Minute Cities, Walkability, and Accessibility
Leah Hudson Leva, The Urbanist, August 5 2024
The 15-minute city concept aims to redesign urban spaces, allowing residents to access daily essentials within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. While promising improved quality of life, reduced carbon emissions, and stronger local communities, the concept faces challenges, including political buy-in, funding, and potential gentrification. Critics argue that the concept, popularized by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, may not consider accessibility for all, particularly those with disabilities. Cities like Seattle, Paris, and Melbourne are exploring this idea, emphasizing the need for inclusive, well- planned urban environments to realize its benefits fully.
Regional and National TOD News
A Very Personal Take: I’m Struggling with the Word “Urbanism,” and Here’s Why
F. Kaid Benfield, Medium, August 5 2024
Sustainable planning expert F. Kaid Benfield discusses the term “urbanism” and its implications. He feels uneasy about using it to describe city improvement efforts, as it is often misunderstood and can have negative connotations. While Benfield supports urbanism principles like walkable streets and mixed-use development, he believes the term fails to convey his broader vision of green and healthy places, including conservation beyond urban areas. He stresses the need for language that effectively communicates urban development goals to a wider audience, noting that “urbanism” may not resonate with those outside professional circles.
ILLINOIS—The Snazzy Damen Green Station (Re)opened Just in Time for the DNC, but It Will Also Improve Transit Equity
John Greenfield, StreetsBlog Chicago, August 5 2024
The new $80 million Damen Green Line station in Chicago has opened, improving access to the United Center and revitalizing public transit in the area for the first time since 1948. Filling a 1.5-mile gap between existing stops, the station enhances connectivity for residents, workers, and visitors. Nearby, the $50 million Westhaven Park IID offers 96 apartments, including 38 Chicago Housing Authority units and 25 affordable units for those earning 60 percent of the area median income, promoting economic diversity in the Near West Side community.
MARYLAND—Suburban Retrofit with a Focus on Green
Robert Steuteville, Public Square, August 5 2024
Federal Realty Investment Trust has developed Pike and Rose, a transit-oriented downtown in Montgomery County, transforming an outdated suburban site into a mixed-use community. The 24-acre development features 1,605 residential units, 340,000 sq. ft. of retail space, 1.5 million sq. ft. of office space, and a hotel. Council member Evan Glass praises Pike and Rose for its retail mix, art installations, and shaded streets.
GEORGIA—Uptown Atlanta Project Welcomes Wave of Retailers, With More On Way
Josh Green, Urbanize Atlanta, August 2 2024
Uptown Atlanta, the neighborhood previously known as Lindbergh, is undergoing significant redevelopment as Rubenstein Partners works to establish a new identity for the 47-acre transit-oriented district. The Philadelphia-based real estate firm began renovations more than three years ago, aiming to transform Uptown into a vibrant hub connecting Buckhead and Midtown with modernized office spaces, pedestrian-friendly areas, and enhanced connectivity to PATH400, the South Fork Trail, and the BeltLine corridor. Key redevelopment efforts include updating early-2000s facades, creating communal gathering spaces, and securing a significant lease with MARTA to occupy four floors of office space.
WASHINGTON—Spokane Poised to Abolish Parking Mandates in Urbanist Reform Package
Anthony Gill, The Urbanist, August 2 2024
Spokane is poised to become the largest city in Washington State to abolish parking mandates citywide, continuing its urbanist reform efforts aimed at improving housing affordability and reducing car dependency. If passed, this new zoning reform package would make parking optional for all uses throughout the city, enhance transit-oriented development, and update design standards to be more objective, thus streamlining the development process. These changes, which build on previous reforms like legalizing fourplexes and removing unit limits, could serve as a model for other cities in Washington and beyond.
International TOD News
INDIA—HD-BRTS to Develop Transit-Oriented Projects in Hubballi
Akshay Doddamani, The Times of India, August 8 2024
Hubballi is preparing for a significant transformation with the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project at its core. The BRTS aims to revolutionize urban mobility by providing a high-capacity, efficient, and affordable public transportation solution that will ease traffic congestion and reduce travel times. This system is designed to offer dedicated lanes for buses, ensuring quick and reliable service across key routes. The development also includes improved road infrastructure and enhanced connectivity to other transit options.
CANADA—B.C. Government Gives Burnaby, Langley Township Transit Hub Density Ultimatum
Alec Lazenby, Vancouver Sun, August 7 2024
Bill 47 requires Metro Vancouver municipalities to allow high-density housing near transit hubs, but some councils, like Langley Township and Burnaby, have delayed implementation, citing concerns over local control and rising land values. Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming warned the province might enforce these changes, but local leaders argue this approach undermines municipal planning. While Coquitlam has complied with the bylaws, concerns remain about reduced housing starts due to unclear regulations, with experts emphasizing the need for more housing near transit despite potential affordability issues for marginalized communities.
JORDAN—Transforming Amman: A Blueprint for a Transit-Oriented Future
Press Release, Devdiscourse, August 5 2024
A new report by the World Bank and Greater Amman Municipality outlines a comprehensive transit-oriented development plan for Amman, Jordan, aiming to address transportation challenges and urban sprawl. The plan focuses on expanding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, improving pedestrian accessibility, and enhancing public spaces to increase public transport usage from 14 to 40 percent. By integrating transportation and urban planning, the initiative seeks to create a more livable, sustainable city, addressing issues such as traffic congestion, unequal access to services, and climate vulnerabilities in Amman.
Rail Revolution: Transforming African Cities with Urban Transit Solutions
Press Releaser, Devdiscourse, August 2 2024
African cities are transforming urban mobility by repurposing underutilized railways to create efficient transit systems, as highlighted in the World Bank’s “Developing Urban Rail Corridors in African Cities” report. Cities like Lagos, Maputo, and Nairobi are investing in urban rail to combat congestion and pollution, with strategies focusing on multimode connectivity, innovative funding like land value capture, and public-private partnerships. These efforts aim to reduce traffic, lower emissions, and enhance livability, setting a model for other African cities to follow in building sustainable and connected urban environments.