Biden announces actions to lower housing costs (left); What will Gateway mean to you; Mixed-use supportive housing in Hell’s Kitchen; Are you a super commuter?; Canada launches national Public Transit Fund (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Major New Actions to Lower Housing Costs by Limiting Rent Increases and Building More Homes
Press Release, The White House, July 16 2024
The Biden Administration is advancing a new initiative to ease rent-burdened households by targeting corporate landlords and repurposing public land. President Biden has urged Congress to legislate a cap on rent increases at five percent for corporate landlords with large portfolios or risk losing federal tax incentives. Additionally, the administration plans to convert surplus federal land into affordable housing, planning to create up to 15,000 new units in Nevada alone. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to increase housing availability, decrease energy costs, and make housing more equitable and climate resilient.
NJ TOD News
Urban Farms Are a Lifeline for Food-Insecure Residents. Will New Jersey Finally Take Them Seriously?
Kimberly Izar, Next City, July 15 2024
Urban farms, such as those in Essex County, provide fresh, affordable food vital to food-insecure communities. Despite their importance, these farms face challenges such as expensive permits and lack of water, prompting calls for government investment. Advocacy groups call for systemic support and policy changes to sustain urban agriculture, particularly for farms serving marginalized communities.
NY to NJ; What the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project Means for You
J. Staas Haught, NorthJersey.com, July 13 2024
In case you missed it, the Gateway Project is a massive project designed to improve rail travel between New Jersey and New York. Get a brief refresher on the $16 billion effort. The project involves constructing a new two-track rail tunnel under the Hudson River and repairing the existing North River tunnel, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Recently, the project received a $6.88 billion federal grant to help expedite construction, aiming to enhance reliability and reduce disruptions for daily commuters.
$99M Grant to Modernize Meadowlands Bus Garage
Matthew Fazelpoor, NJBIZ, July 10 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration awarded a $99.5 million federal grant to support NJ TRANSIT in modernizing the Meadowlands Bus Garage in Secaucus. The funding will be used to expand electric bus infrastructure, construct an outdoor charging facility, implement training programs, and increase electric bus service. The project aims for a 2028 completion, marking a significant step towards the agency’s goal of a 100-percent zero-emissions bus fleet.
Transit and Equity News
COLORADO—Denver Funds Development of 62 Permanently Affordable Condos in Five Points
Press Release, The City of Denver, July 18 2024
The Regional Transportation District parking lot adjacent to the L light rail line in the Five Points area will be transformed into 62 affordable condominiums for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Denver City Council approved $4,965,000 in loans for the project, which will use a land trust model to ensure permanent affordability. The six-story building, developed by Shanahan Development and Elevation Community Land Trust, is set to be completed with income-restricted units ranging from one to three bedrooms, benefiting current and future residents.
NEW YORK—Hudson Companies, Housing Works and Local Elected Officials Break Ground on The Lirio
Press Release, Harlem World, July 17 2024
The Hudson Companies and Housing Works, in partnership with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, have broken ground on The Lirio, a 145,000-square-foot development in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, featuring 112 permanently affordable units, office space for the MTA, and retail space. With $119 million in financing from several sources, the project includes 67 units for formerly homeless individuals, particularly long-term HIV/AIDS survivors, and is designed to meet Passive House standards. Completion is expected by 2026, with the development aiming to provide supportive services.
VIRGINIA—Somos at McLean Metro Affordable Housing Project Breaks Ground
Michael O’Connell, Patch, July 17 2024
The Somos at McLean Metro project, which recently broke ground, will add 231 affordable housing units in Phase A. The project is funded through a mix of financing from Fairfax County, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Stratford Capital Group, Virginia Housing, and the Amazon Housing Equity Fund. Upon completion of both phases, the project will provide 456 rental units toward Fairfax County’s goal of 10,000 affordable units by 2034.
Regional and National TOD News
TEXAS—Are You a Super Commuter? Housing Report Cities North Texans Going the Distance
Staff Writer, Candy’sDirt, July 19 2024
A new report by ApartmentList.com reveals that more than 60,000 North Texans, or 2 percent of all commuters in the Dallas metro area, are “super-commuters,” traveling at least 90 minutes one way to work. The report highlights the disparity between job and housing market growth, with some regions adding over 10 jobs per new home built, causing people to live further from work. To address this, city officials advocate for “missing middle housing” and transit-oriented developments near Dallas Area Rapid Transit stations to reduce commute times and enhance housing affordability.
3 Strategies to Decarbonize Transportation: US DOT Report
Dan Zukowski, Smart Cities Dive, July 15 2024
Transportation accounts for 33 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with light-duty vehicles, trucks, and buses being major contributors. The USDOT released a report outlining measures to cut emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050, aligning with the Biden administration’s decarbonization blueprint and U.N. Paris Agreement commitments. Strategies include reducing travel distances, promoting energy-efficient travel modes, and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles through transit-friendly land use, public transit and rail investment, higher fuel economy standards, and a national network of electric vehicle charging stations. However, a Texas court struck down a 2023 USDOT rule mandating CO2 emissions reduction targets, citing a lack of Congressional authority. rule that ordered state DOTs and MPOs to establish emission reduction targets, finding that the USDOT did not have Congressional authority.
CALIFORNIA—Milpitas Council Oks New Zoning Districts, Land Use Policies
Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, July 15 2024
The Milpitas City Council, aiming to develop more transit-friendly neighborhoods, introduced new districts as part of the city’s updated General Plan and Metro Specific Plan. These include the Business Park Research and Development Zone to revitalize light industrial areas and the creation of seven Metro Area Zones near the Milpitas Transit Center and BART station. The zoning updates seek to enhance economic growth, provide affordable housing, and are part of the ongoing Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update project. The city’s zoning overhaul is expected to continue through summer 2025.
International TOD News
Investing in Rail Can Help Put African Cities on a More Sustainable Track
Matthias Plavec and Martha Lawrence, World Bank, July 19 2024
A recent World Bank report highlights the benefits of repurposing existing railway lines for passenger transport in African cities. These solutions can provide efficient and affordable mobility, reduce pollution, and support urban development. African cities are experiencing rapid urbanization, leading to increased demand for motorized transport, chronic traffic congestion, and longer commutes. The report emphasizes the need for significant investment in tracks, train control systems, and rolling stock in cities like Lagos, Maputo, and Nairobi.
CANADA—Backgrounder: Federal Government Launches the Canada Public Transit Fund, Investing in Public Transit Needs Across Canada
Press Release, Government of Canada, July 18 2024
Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested over CAN$30 billion in public transit, funding more than 2,000 projects including major urban and rural initiatives. Today, the introduction of the new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) was announced, which allocates up to CAN$3 billion annually from 2026-2027. The CPTF will support comprehensive regional and targeted funding strategies to enhance transit accessibility and integration, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improve housing near transit stops. Main strategies include establishing long-term Metro-Region Agreements, promoting high-density housing near transit, and special focus on reaching underserved and transit-dependent Indigenous communities.
IVORY COAST—Work Begins on Abidjan’s BRT to Link Yopougon and Bingerville in 45 Minutes
Benoit-Ivan Wansi, Afrik 21, July 16 2024
Abidjan, the economic capital of Ivory Coast, is set to introduce its first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This new 12.4-mile BRT line, connecting the urban centers of Yopougon and Bingerville, will drastically cut travel time from three hours to just 45 minutes. Funded jointly by the World Bank and the French Development Agency, the project aims to modernize the transit network with 100 electric buses, thereby improving air quality and creating 500 direct jobs. This development is part of the broader Abidjan Urban Transport Project, which includes ongoing preparations for the inauguration of the Abidjan metro in 2024. The new BRT line is expected to serve around 300,000 passengers daily.