NJ launches $500M housing tax credit (right); Jersey City project ditches parking; One-third of Americans cannot drive; Rethinking TOD financing law; Nigeria eyes a new transit future (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
NJHMFA Approves STCS Program to Fund Affordable and Workforce Housing Development
Tom Warnick, ROI-NJ | October 3, 2025
The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) has launched the State Tax Credit Subsidy (STCS) Program, which will auction up to $500 million in state tax credits over six years to support workforce and affordable housing. Businesses that buy credits can apply them to state taxes, and the proceeds will be split for production of the two housing types.
NJ TOD News
Trump Administration Puts Hudson Rail Tunnel Projects Funds ‘On Hold’
Staff, NJBIA | October 1, 2025
The Trump administration has frozen $16 billion in federal funding for the Hudson Gateway Tunnel project, citing anti-white discrimination. Announced during a government shutdown, the move halts money for a project seen as essential to regional and national transit. New Jersey and New York officials denounced the decision as a political attack that endangers jobs, the economy, and critical infrastructure.
Exploring Transit Village Communities Along the Raritan Valley Line
Staff, NJTOD | September 29, 2025
Six Transit Villages along NJ TRANSIT’s Raritan Valley Line have leveraged rail access to revitalize downtowns, attract development, and expand housing. Somerville turned a landfill into TOD, Dunellen is fueling a downtown resurgence, and Plainfield is advancing large-scale projects—showing how transit-oriented redevelopment strengthens communities.
Jersey City Developer Pushes for Affordable Housing Reform
Jeffrey Kanige, NJ Biz | September 29, 2025
Jersey City developer Ben LoPiccolo argues that rising construction costs, high interest rates, and excessive red tape are driving up housing prices and choking supply. He calls for streamlining permitting, regulatory reform, and stronger responses to NIMBY opposition to make building more feasible across all housing types.
JERSEY CITY—Despite Neighborhood Pushback, Bergen Ave Development Approved Without Parking
E. Assata Wright, Jersey City Times | September 25, 2025
Developers plan to build an 11-story, 77-unit residential tower in Journal Square with no parking, enabled by a recent zoning change eliminating parking requirements near the transit hub. Neighbors argue the city already faces a parking shortage, while traffic engineers point out that 80 percent of local residents commute without cars and more than half don’t own one.
Transit and Equity News
Report: A Third of Americans Can’t Rely on Cars – And 16 Million Have No Access at All
Kea Wilson, Streetsblog USA | October 2, 2025
A NRDC report finds that more than one-third of Americans—about 104 million people—cannot reliably drive due to age, disability, poverty, or lack of vehicle access. The study shows how planning and funding often overlook non-drivers, leaving millions stranded in car-centric communities, and calls for stronger transit, walking, and biking infrastructure.
TEXAS—Palladium USA to Celebrate Groundbreaking of Palladium Buckner Station, a $107 Million Transit-Oriented Community in Southeast Dallas
Staff, WRAL News | October 1, 2025
Palladium USA has begun construction on Palladium Buckner Station, a $107 million residential development next to the Buckner DART Station. The project replaces an underused DART parking lot with 304 mixed-income apartments, including 244 below market rate, and a landscaped pedestrian promenade.
HAWAII—City Seeks Development Partner for Major Affordable Housing Community in Royal Kunia
Scott Humber, City of Honolulu | September 29, 2025
Honolulu is seeking a development partner to build affordable housing on a 120,000 sq. ft. city-owned lot in Royal Kunia. The site is the eighth of ten city-owned lots identified with the potential to deliver 2,500 housing units. Officials say activating public lands near Skyline stations is a cornerstone of the City’s strategic housing plan to prevent further displacement of local families.
WASHINGTON—Transit-Oriented Development Opens New Doors in SeaTac
Harrison Price, Sound Transit | September 29, 2025
Sound Transit opened Connection Angle Lake, an affordable housing development on former agency property by the Angle Lake Link light rail station. The project features 130 affordable units for households earning below 50 and 60 percent area median income, with 26 apartments reserved for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
NEW MEXICO—Something Big Is Coming Uptown!
Press Release, City of Albuquerque | September 25, 2025
Albuquerque has launched Uptown Connect, a $120 million public-private TOD that will bring 239 mixed-rate rental units—203 of them affordable—along with 19,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space. Funded in part by a $25 million federal RAISE grant, the project will link thousands of daily commuters with affordable housing, jobs, and transit access. Construction is slated to begin in mid-2026.
Regional and National TOD News
New Tariffs Could Worsen America’s Housing Crisis
Sydney Ember, The New York Times | October 2, 2025
Builders warn that President Trump’s new tariffs on imported wood, furniture, cabinets, and other furnishings will raise housing and renovation costs, worsening an already weak housing market. With high interest rates already slowing construction, the tariffs could further reduce supply and push prices higher for buyers and renters.
How an Infrastructure Financing Law Can Help Build Thousands of Homes and Expand Transit Access
Ben McAdams and Aaron Shroyer, Brookings | September 30, 2025
A Brookings policy report urges Congress to reform federal loan programs to better finance transit-oriented development without new taxpayer spending. Recommended changes include delegating loan servicing to private lenders, creating pooled TOD funds, streamlining environmental reviews, and removing investment-grade rating requirements to make smaller, mixed-use projects easier to finance.
MASSACHUSETTS—City of Salem Eliminates Parking Requirements for New Apartments
Staff, Streetsblog Mass | September 30, 2025
Salem has eliminated parking requirements for all new multifamily developments, ending a decades-old rule mandating 1.5 spaces per unit. A Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) study found that nearly 38 percent of multifamily parking spaces sat vacant, supporting the policy change. Much of the city remains zoned for single-family housing and will not be affected.
CONNECTICUT—Alders Greenlight Sale of Downtown Parking Lots for More Housing
Isabel Li, Yale Daily News | September 29, 2025
New Haven’s Board of Alders approved a land deal to redevelop two downtown parking lots into apartment buildings, clearing the way for 447 new units. The Iron will bring 300 apartments and The Frontier with 147, with at least 25 percent reserved as affordable housing. Local officials say the plan will help reconnect downtown to New Haven Station and revive pedestrian activity on State Street.
Revitalizing Cities with Small-Scale Manufacturing
Jack Guan, Streetsblog USA | September 26, 2025
Small Rust Belt cities such as Allentown are revitalizing industrial areas through small-scale manufacturing. Unlike past factories, today’s businesses—breweries, clothing designers, and art studios—often include storefronts and function as third spaces, drawing foot traffic. Integrating small-scale manufacturing into neighborhoods brings jobs closer to residents, reduces commutes, and enhances livability.
International TOD News
NIGERIA—Rethinking Nigeria’s and Africa’s Transportation Future
Okelue David Ugwunta, The Pan African Review | September 30, 2025
Nigeria has approved $97 million for new transport hubs and bus fleets, but its transit system remains fragmented by weak coordination and unstable investment. While Lagos has advanced with bus rapid transit (BRT), nationwide rail and road projects continue to face delays and disruptions. Experts call for long-term planning, integrated multimodal networks, and stronger institutions to build reliable transport systems.
AUSTRALIA—ACT Plots 1000-Home Transit-Oriented Rezoning
Clare Burnett, The Urban Developer | September 29, 2025
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government plans to rezone land near its light rail stops to enable up to 1,000 new medium-density homes. Most areas would be limited to three stories, with select sites allowed up to five. Officials say the rezoning is part of broader transit-oriented reforms to deliver 30,000 new homes by 2030.