FTA: $10.5MM Available for TOD Planning
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
(Photograph Courtesy of FTA)
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 23 reported that approximately $10.5 million in Fiscal Year 2024 competitive grant funds are available to support local planning and investment near transit hubs, with a focus on projects that plan for affordable housing.
The FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning will provide the funding to communities to integrate land use and transportation planning in new fixed guideway and core capacity transit project corridors, according to the federal agency. As required by statute, FTA said, “any comprehensive or site-specific planning funded through the pilot program must examine ways to improve economic development and ridership potential, foster multimodal connectivity and accessibility, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, engage the private sector, identify infrastructure needs, and enable mixed-use development near transit stations”; additionally, “planning work [must] be associated with a new fixed guideway or core capacity transit project as defined in federal transit statute (49 USC 5309(a).
A TOD program applicant must be an existing FTA grant recipient—either a project sponsor of an eligible transit project or an entity with land-use planning authority in the project corridor, reported FTA. To “ensure TOD planning meets the needs of the local community,” evidence of a partnership between a project sponsor and land-use planning authority will be required unless the applicant has both responsibilities.
Applications for areas with a lower population density or lower average income compared to surrounding areas will receive a higher federal funding share, according to FTA; applications with a “substantial focus” on affordable housing may receive up to 100% federal support.
The application period closes July 22, 2024.
Since FY 2015, FTA’s TOD program has provided nearly $122 million to help nearly 150 communities plan for new opportunities around transit. Twenty TOD projects—10 rail-related—shared $17.6 million in FY 2023 funding.
In FY 2023, FTA gave priority consideration for projects that included affordable housing options, including providing 100% of the funds needed for the project, rather than requiring a 20% local funding match.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to giving more Americans the opportunity to find a home they can afford and transportation solutions that fit their lives,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “By choosing projects that focus on affordable housing, FTA is proving to communities all over the nation that if you are willing to find new ways to create great housing opportunities, we are here to support you.”
FTA on June 5 will host a webinar for this funding opportunity, providing an overview of the TOD program and describing eligibility requirements. Register here for the event.
