NJ towns adopt housing plans (right); NJ aging-friendly housing; CA post-fire housing; High costs of highways; TOD in Melbourne (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
NEW JERSEY—Record 424 Municipalities Adopt Fair Housing Plans
Staff, Fair Share Housing Center | July 10, 2025
Of the 452 New Jersey municipalities participating in the fourth-round affordable housing process, 94 percent have submitted Fair Share Housing Plans outlining how they will meet state-mandated obligations. State senators view the strong turnout as a sign of successful legislation and progress in expanding affordable housing. Over the next two months, the Fair Share Housing Center and other stakeholders will review the plans for compliance with state law.
NJ TOD News
NEW JERSEY—2025 Snapshot: The Mismatch Between an Aging Population and the Homes and Neighborhoods They Need
Tim Evans, New Jersey Future | July 11, 2025
New Jersey’s 65 or older population is steadily increasing, yet aging-friendly housing remains scarce. To meet this need, the state must expand gentle density options like apartments, duplexes, and townhomes, which are more affordable, easier to maintain, and better suited for downsizing. They also promote walkable, connected communities, helping older adults maintain mobility, independence, and access to public spaces without driving.
SOMERVILLE—Somerville Moves to Redevelop ‘Blighted’ Downtown Landmark
Mike Deak, My Central Jersey | July 10, 2025
Somerville’s Planning Board will consider designating the historic Granetz Building as a non-condemnation redevelopment area. The property owner plans to convert the vacant structure into 27 apartments with a ground-floor adult daycare facility. A previous proposal sought to demolish the building for a 77-unit condo tower, citing environmental concerns. Located in the Somerville Transit Village, the site is walkable to the train station and downtown.
NORTH BRUNSWICK— Here’s Where North Brunswick Wants to Put 225 Affordable Housing Units
Susan Loyer, My Central Jersey | July 8, 2025
North Brunswick is considering three sites for 225 affordable units under the township’s Fair Share Housing Plan. The largest site, located south of the Community Park entrance, could accommodate 140 new housing units designated for lower-income seniors. Main Street North Brunswick, located near a proposed NJ TRANSIT station, is targeted for 43 supportive units.
OLD BRIDGE—Raceway Park in Old Bridge Targeted for Hundreds of Affordable Housing Units
Susan Loyer, My Central Jersey | July 7, 2025
Old Bridge will target affordable housing at three sites—Englishtown-Raceway Park, Trekton Square, and the planned Transit Village—under its their approved Fair Share Housing Plan. The sites are zoned for up to 600, 450, and 460 units, with plans to produce 312 affordable units to meet their affordable housing obligations.
ALLENHURST—First Phase of Long-Awaited ‘Power Station’ Project Breaks Ground in Allenhurst
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | July 6, 2025
Power Station at Allenhurst has broken ground on a 28-unit townhouse development aimed at revitalizing underutilized parcels within walking distance to Allenhurst Station. Subsequent project phases will bring 62 market-rate and 23 affordable rental units to the .25 square-mile borough.
Transit and Equity News
CALIFORNIA—Newsom Unveils $101M to Build Palisades Low-Income Housing
Kenneth Schrupp, Sunnyside Sun | July 8, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced $101 million in funding to support low-income multifamily housing in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires. The funds will go to equity-focused projects that prioritize vulnerable and displaced residents. Developments within a quarter mile of a transit station will also qualify for a 50–80 percent density bonus, based on the level of transit service available.
ILLINOIS—Habitat Fully Leases Apartments at 43 Green Phase 2—Chicago’s First Equitable Transit-Oriented Development in Historic Bronzeville
Staff, Yield Pro | July 7, 2025
Chicago-based developer Habitat has fully leased the second phase of 43 Green, a mixed-use eTOD in Bronzeville. The project features 80 apartments—44 affordable—and ground-floor retail near a CTA station. As the South Side’s first eTOD, it serves as a model for expanding access to opportunities and services.
NEW MEXICO—Could Public Lands Help Alleviate the Housing Shortage in the West?
Savannah Peters, Marketplace | July 3, 2025
New Mexico granted a 60-year lease to Sol Housing for the Luminaria Senior Community, an 82-unit affordable development near public transit on a former mobile home park site. By leasing rather than selling, the state retains control and flexibility to meet future community needs. As the housing crisis grows, prioritizing infill development over permanent land sales remains key to maximizing long-term potential.
Regional and National TOD News
NEW YORK—21-Story Tower in Development as Part of Downtown Revisioning in Mount Vernon, Westchester County
Vanessa Londono, New York YIMBY | July 10, 2025
The Mount Vernon Planning Board has approved 140 East Prospect Avenue, a 350-unit mixed-use development just one block from Mount Vernon East Station. The TOD is part of the city’s Downtown Vision Plan, which supports downtown revitalization and update zoning. Building design is still underway, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
Can Americans Just Stop Building New Highways?
David Zipper, Bloomberg | July 8, 2025
In his book Overbuilt, Erick Guerra explores the often-overlooked economic, environmental, and social costs of highways—burdens that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. He argues that the U.S. doesn’t suffer from too few roads, but too many. He highlights that the most successful places in terms of economic efficiency, safety, equity, and sustainability typically have the fewest highways per capita.
WASHINGTON—Is Tacoma’s ADU Strategy Working? Here’s What City Says About ‘Gentle Density’
Cameron Shappard, The News Tribune | July 8, 2025
Tacoma has permitted nearly 600 ADUs after passing an ordinance in 2019 to streamline and remove barriers for ADU construction. The City chose ADUs as a solution to its severe housing shortage because it offered a gentle density approach to residential infill. Following Tacoma’s lead, several other Washington cities have passed similar ordinances since 2019.
HAWAII—City Selects Partner to Lead Transformational TOD Planning Effort in Iwilei-Kapālama to Support Thousands of Affordable Housing Units
Press Release, City of Honolulu | July 7, 2025
Honolulu has chosen a Native Hawaiian-owned firm to lead the redesign of the Kūwili Station TOD area. With over 75 percent of the surrounding land publicly owned, the project offers a rare chance to take a community-needs-based approach. Key goals include enhancing connectivity, expanding transit access, supporting future housing, and addressing flood risks.
International TOD News
FRANCE—Transit Ridership Hasn’t Recovered Since the Pandemic. What Can the US Learn From French Transit Systems
Yonah Freemark, Urban Institute | July 7, 2025
U.S. transit agencies are still grappling with post-COVID ridership declines and looming budget shortfalls, while France has seen per capita and total ridership rise. Research suggests this contrast stems from France’s faster return-to-office rates, quicker commercial reopenings, and better-maintained transit systems. While French cities continue expanding service through sustained investment, 24 of 25 major U.S. cities—except Dallas—now offer less service than in 2019.
SOUTH KOREA—Lotte Construction to Sell Gaya Station Lotte Castle Skyel With 805 Units in Busan
Bang Jae-Hyuk ChosunBiz | July 7, 2025
Lotte Construction is preparing to lease units at ‘Gaya Station Lotte Castle Skyel,’ a recently constructed, 805-unit mixed-use complex spanning four buildings. Located directly across from Gaya Station, the development offers easy access to Central Busan and the Mint Financial District via Metro Line 2 and bus rapid transit.
AUSTRALIA—Planning Minister Approves 11-Storey Tower at Ex-ABC Elsternwick Site
Alesha Capone, Herald Sun | July 4, 2025
The Victorian government has approved a $150 million project to redevelop a former ABC studio site into an 11-story tower with 148 housing units, office space, and a supermarket. The site is located within one of 50 newly designated train and tram station zones targeted for increased density and improved connectivity across Melbourne.