NJ housing shortage hurts growth (left) • East Orange Transit Village project • Single-stair apartments • LA adopts new TOD zoning • Singapore opens housing for bus drivers (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
New Report Warns Housing Shortage Is Holding Back New Jersey’s Economy
Neill Borowski, Jersey Digs | June 30, 2026
A New Jersey Future report warns that slow housing growth is inhibiting the state’s economy as young professionals move to lower-cost markets. Report author Tim Evans cites high domestic outmigration and New Jersey’s ranking as the state with the highest share of young adults living with their parents as evidence of the need for more affordable housing.
NJ TOD News
EAST ORANGE—East Orange Approves 100-Unit Complex on William Street
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | July 3, 2026
East Orange officials approved plans for a 100-unit housing development on the site of a former auto repair facility. The project sits within the East Orange Transit Village District Redevelopment area and near both East Orange and Brick Church stations.
ASBURY PARK—Asbury Park Approves Controversial Mixed-Use Development After Recusal Dispute
Mario Marroquin, Jersey Digs | July 1 2026
The Asbury Park Planning Board approved a 67-unit mixed-use development with ground-floor retail after a board member recused themselves because of comments made about the developer in March. The project is within walking distance of NJ TRANSIT’s Asbury Park Station.
JERSEY CITY—Nasser Freres Welcomes First Residents at 622-Unit Luxury Rental Tower in Journal Square
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | June 30, 2026
The Greyson, a 29-story, 622-unit rental tower, has welcomed its first residents. The tower sits on Homestead Place, a new pedestrian plaza connecting the Journal Square Transportation Center with the evolving commercial corridor in Journal Square.
Transit and Equity News
MASSACHUSETTS—Legalizing Single-Stair, a Path to Affordable Housing
Robert Steuteville, Public Square | July 2, 2026
A Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies report argues Massachusetts should allow single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, estimating the change could enable 130,000 new homes near transit. The findings have prompted bills in the House and Senate to legalize this building type statewide.
Aging, Mobility and Resilience Projects Get $8.3M from AARP
Vicky Uhland, Smart Cities Dive | July 1, 2026
AARP awarded $8.3 million in Community Challenge grants to support 750 quick-turnover “microprojects,” including transit training, aging-in-place initiatives, and pedestrian safety improvements. Since 2017, the program has invested $32.6 million to launch thousands of community improvement projects.
COLORADO—Diversity Spotlight: How the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Shaped Transportation Equity
Gisa McCray Simmons, Regional Transportation District | July 1, 2026
To mark the July 2 anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) highlighted discounted fare programs, equitable transit-oriented development, language access services, and equity reports to improve access and opportunity across the region.
PITTSBURGH—Tax Diversion Plan to Fund Downtown Renovation Roils Transit Advocates
Mia Hollie, Pittsburgh’s Public Source | June 25, 2026
The Pittsburgh City Council has proposed that the Golden Triangle be designated as a Downtown Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID). The program would provide funding to support TOD in the district. Opponents argue that the program concentrates economic benefits in one neighborhood rather than distributing growth citywide.
Regional and National TOD News
NEW YORK—Suffolk Issuing RFP to Revive Ronkonkoma Development Hopes
David Winzelberg, Long Island Business News | July 2, 2026
Suffolk County issued an RFP to redevelop 48 acres south of the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Station into a mixed-use hub focused on job creation and economic growth. The project would replace the recently cancelled Midway Crossing development, which failed to advance on schedule.
CALIFORNIA—Council Approves Transit-Oriented Development Plan for Downtown Metrolink Area
Micaela Ricaforte, The Raincross Gazette | June 30, 2026
Riverside’s City Council approved a Transit Oriented Development Action Plan for the area around the Downtown Metrolink Station. The initiative would replace the 1991 Marketplace Specific Plan, which prioritized industrial and commercial uses while limiting housing, with a new plan focused on creating and preserving housing.
MINNESOTA—Hennepin County Wants More Development Near Public Transit, and They’re Helping Pay for It
Trevor Mitchell, Minn Post | June 30, 2026
Hennepin County awarded $1.7 million in Transit Oriented Communities grants to five projects that will add housing, community space, and services near transit. Since 2003, the program has helped create or preserve more than 18,000 housing units and 3,600 jobs across 180 developments.
CALIFORNIA—City Planning Commission Votes in Favor of New Zoning Rules Near Three G Line Stops
Steven Sharp, Urbanize | June 29, 2026
The Los Angeles Planning Commission voted to approve the Orange Line Transit Neighborhood Plan, which would update zoning around G Line stations in North Hollywood and Van Nuys to support TOD. The plan implements the City’s new zoning code, increases allowable density for affordable housing, and now awaits City Council approval.
International TOD News
SINGAPORE—Singapore’s First Dedicated Housing for Bus Drivers Opens Next to Sengkang West Depot
Esther Loi, The Straits Times | June 30, 2026
SBS Transit opened 39 apartments at Sengkang West Depot for bus drivers. The housing is part of the drivers’ employment package and is already 85 percent occupied. Similar housing is planned for the Ang Mo Kio bus depot when it opens in 2030.
CANADA—Construction Starts on Surrey’s First Purpose-Built Student Housing, Bringing 810 Beds
Kenneth Chan, The Daily Hive | June 29, 2026
Construction has begun on an 810-bed student housing project in Surrey City Centre, an eight-minute walk from SkyTrain’s King George Station. The development is expected to help ease pressure on the Metro Vancouver housing market and is scheduled for completion in fall 2028.
MALAYSIA—Accelerate Transit-Oriented Housing Projects Around LRT Stations, Says Loke
Qistina Sallehuddin and Arfa Ynus, The Star | June 28, 2026
Malyasian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said housing development around LRT stations must accelerate to prevent transit from being underused. The government will explore partnerships with private developers to redevelop stations with large park-and-ride facilities.