Trio of Affordable Housing Bills in NJ (right); Hoboken Connect project breaks ground; 3 steps for affordable housing; New TOD bill in WA; Metro and TOD investment in Vietnam (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week

South Jersey Lawmaker Touting Trio of Affordable Housing Bills
Suzette Parmley, The Sun Newspapers | January 21, 2025
NJ State Senator Troy Singleton and senate colleagues have proposed three affordable housing bills for the upcoming legislative year. Building on last year’s legislation, the proposals would permit accessory dwelling units in all single-family neighborhoods, expand mixed-use developments on underutilized land, and reduce parking requirements near transit hubs. Singleton stressed that expanding the housing supply is essential to improving affordability.
NJ TOD News

NEWARK—Site of Historic Ballantine Brewery in Newark Transformed into Mixed-Use Development
Maddie McGay, NorthJersey.com | January 21, 2025
Newark officials and Shorewood Real Estate Group celebrated the completion of The Ballantine, a six-story, mixed-use development on the former site of Newark’s historic Ballantine Brewery. The project includes 280 units, 34 designated as affordable, and 2,600 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail. Located in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, it offers tenants access to the area’s vibrant food scene, local shops, and Newark Penn Station. Pre-leasing starts in February, with occupancy set for March.

Gov. Phil Murphy Appeals to President Donald Trump for Help Against Congestion Pricing
Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com | January 20, 2025
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy sent a letter to Donald Trump on Inauguration Day, urging the newly sworn-in president to oppose New York’s congestion pricing program. Murphy criticized the program as a poorly designed money grab that would hurt working-class residents and asked Trump to review it. Despite political challenges, early data shows improved travel times in midtown Manhattan.

HOBOKEN—LCOR Breaks Ground on 386-Unit Rental Tower for Sweeping ‘Hoboken Connect’ Project
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | January 20, 2025
LCOR has begun construction on Charlie, a 27-story residential tower near Hoboken Terminal, part of the $900 million Hoboken Connect initiative led by NJ TRANSIT and LCOR. The tower will include 386 units, with 20 percent designated as affordable, and feature sustainable elements such as New Jersey’s largest residential geothermal system. The broader Hoboken Connect project aims to expand sustainable and affordable housing, boost the local economy, and improve transportation access around Hoboken Terminal.
Transit and Equity News

3 Practical Steps We Need to Take to Remove Obstacles to Affordable Housing
Marco Zappacosta, Fast Company | January 24, 2025
The U.S. housing crisis stems from home prices outpacing wages, a skilled labor shortage, and restrictive zoning policies. Thumbtack CEO Marco Zappacosta recommends expanding trade skills programs for Gen Z, loosening zoning restrictions to allow multi-unit housing, and promoting transit-oriented development to improve access to affordable housing. These measures aim to reduce construction costs, increase housing supply, and grow transit-accessible housing options.

MASSACHUSETTS—Mayor Wu Announces More Than $64 Million in Affordable Housing Funding Awards for Projects Across Boston
Press Release, Office of Mayor Michelle Wu | January 23, 2025
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced $64.2 million in funding to create and preserve affordable housing units across 12 projects in eight Boston neighborhoods. The projects will produce 637 mixed-income units, including housing for families, older adults, and individuals experiencing homelessness. All projects meet the Mayor’s Office of Housing standards for zero-emissions buildings and are transit-oriented, green developments.

HAWAII—Systemic Barriers Choke Housing Development, Hawai’i Housing Agency Says
Brian Perry, Maui Now | January 18, 2025
A Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corporation report highlights the state’s severe housing shortage caused by systemic barriers, including restrictive zoning, slow permitting, and limited land availability. The agency recommends expanding developable land, reforming zoning to reduce lot size and parking requirements, and promoting transit-oriented development. To counter potential community opposition, the report suggests educating the public on the benefits of affordable housing and TOD.
Regional and National TOD News

NORTH CAROLINA—City Council Rezones 95 Acres in East Durham for Mixed-Use Development
Justin Laidlaw, INDY Week | January 24, 2025
Durham City Council has approved plans for a 95-acre redevelopment of a former brick factory, with SpaceCraft proposing 1,880 residential units, including 90 affordable units, and 49,500 sq. ft. of mixed-use space. The project will feature sustainable design, green spaces, trails and public parks, all within walking distance of a key transit hub. Despite skepticism from Councilmember Nate Baker, the project received unanimous approval for its density, diverse housing options, and pedestrian-friendly design.

WASHINGTON—Washington Legislature Sets it Sights on Transit-Oriented Development…Again
Ryan Packer, The Urbanist | January 22, 2025
House Bill 1491, Washington’s third attempt at a TOD bill in three years, seeks to require cities to permit more housing near transit stations to address the state’s housing crisis. The bill calls for increased building density around light rail, commuter rail, and BRT stops, with some areas required to include affordable housing. While it has support, the affordable housing mandate has sparked debate, and its passage hinges on resolving legislative disagreements.

NEW YORK—New York City Seeks Jolt for Midtown with Plan to Build 10,000 Homes
Mihir Zaveri, The New York Times | January 21, 2025
NYC officials have proposed rezoning parts of Midtown Manhattan to enable 10,000 new apartments, including 2,900 affordable units, to tackle the city’s housing shortage. The plan seeks to revitalize Midtown areas that have struggled post-pandemic, leveraging access to subway lines and jobs to boost residential development. Backed by the two Manhattan council members representing the area, the plan is expected to pass when the City Council votes later this year.

TEXAS—Will Rail Expansion Spur More Tarrant Transit-Oriented Developments? Plans Are in Motion
Eric E. Garcia, Fort Worth Report | January 18, 2025
Grapevine’s $114 million Main Street Station, a transit-oriented development served by Trinity Metro’s TEXRail, has increased tourism and tax revenue with amenities like a food hall, hotel, and entertainment venue. The TEXRail service, linking Tarrant County suburbs to Fort Worth and DFW Airport, has spurred growth in the area, with more TOD projects planned across the county. As TEXRail expands, Grapevine and nearby suburbs expect further mixed-use development and further economic benefits.
International TOD News

VIETNAM—HCMC Metro Planning and Transit-Oriented Development: Opportunities for Foreign Investment
Vu Nguyen Hanh, Vietnam Briefing | January 21, 2025
Ho Chi Minh City plans to address rising traffic congestion by expanding its metro system, targeting a 316-mile urban railway network by 2060. Along with the metro lines, the City will invest heavily in transit-oriented development, with three planned TOD models for station core areas, station transition areas, and intersections. To finance these projects, HCMC is exploring public-private partnerships and capital mobilization strategies to attract private investment.

PHILIPPINES—Manila Must Put Breaks on Its Car-Centric Policies, And Seek Viable Transport Solutions
JC Punongbayan, South China Morning Post | January 19, 2025
Manila, ranked the world’s most congested by TomTom’s global traffic index, faces growing criticism from residents opposed to its car-centric policies. JC Punongbayan, a professor at the University of Philippines, proposes solutions like congestion pricing, a comprehensive automobile scrappage program, and increased rail investment. However, without bold action and greater investment in public transport, traffic will continue to hinder economic growth and quality of life in the Philippines.

SOUTH KOREA—‘Everyone Thought It Would Cause Gridlock’: The Highway That Seoul Turned Into a Stream
Raphael Rashid, The Guardian | January 17, 2025
In the early 2000s, city officials transformed Cheonggyecheon, a stream in central Seoul, by replacing an elevated highway with a vibrant public space for pedestrians and cyclists. The restoration improved air quality, reduced urban heat, and reintroduced wildlife, while attracting millions of visitors annually. Despite facing maintenance challenges, the project has continued to inspire similar initiatives worldwide, such as New York’s High Line, demonstrating the lasting benefits of human-centered urban planning.