The Federal Transit Administration is making some $10 million in competitive grant available through its Transit-Oriented Development or TOD pilot program via a new notice of funding opportunity. The deadline for applications is June 21.
[Above photo via the FTA]
The agency said those funds would support “comprehensive planning efforts “to help connect communities, improve access to public transportation and affordable housing” while also supporting broader Biden administration efforts to combat climate change, advance environmental justice, and promote “equitable delivery” of transportation benefits to underserved communities.
“When people can move safely and easily by public transit, foot, bike, wheelchair, or any other means, it can change a community for the better,” said Pete Buttigieg, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, in a statement.
“This type of investment can save residents money and time [plus] reduce pollution impacting our neighborhoods,” he added. “We are thrilled to help more local governments plan creatively around transit, so their communities can benefit from the good jobs, affordable housing, and economic revitalization that accompany it.”
FTA noted that funding for its TOD pilot program – established under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act or MAP-21 in 2012 and amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation or FAST Act in 2015 – is available through fiscal year 2021.
“Equitable transit-oriented development helps those at the local level respond to climate change and affordable housing challenges, particularly in underserved and overburdened communities,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Nuria Fernandez, nominated recently by the Biden administration to be the agency’s administrator.
She noted that the TOD program funds comprehensive planning efforts aimed at building mixed-use and mixed-income developments near public transportation projects. Examples of eligible projects include comprehensive planning studies around station areas for new fixed guideway projects, such as light-rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, or bus rapid transit systems that have a designated right-of-way.
“The TOD planning program will encourage mixed-use, mixed income development around new transit projects to increase access to opportunities and improve mobility for residents,” Fernandez added.