Local governments can apply for part of a $5 million program aimed at helping them identify appropriate sites, preserve affordable housing, and build more housing near transit.
A new program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will fund projects that support transit-oriented housing development. As Daniel C. Vock explains in Route Fifty, the program will prioritize communities with populations under 250,000, with the first $5 million round of the program expected to fund 30 to 35 projects.
The grants are part of a multi-agency effort called Thriving Communities that will use funding from the 2021 infrastructure law to support local governments in four areas:
- Identifying vacant land near transportation projects that can be used to build housing.
- Preserving affordable housing.
- Streamlining the regulatory process for building new housing.
- Improving coordination among government agencies on housing production.
The program will give local governments access to technical assistance to “revive economically distressed areas that have faced historical disinvestment” and build more housing that is accessible and connected to public transit and other transportation infrastructure.
FULL STORY: HUD Offers Cities Help to Add Housing Near Transportation Options
Connecticut Zoning Bills in Peril Near End of Legislative Session
Two bills that would change zoning rules to encourage more housing production and denser zoning are still in limbo as the legislature prepares to go on recess.
Utah Could Eliminate Parking Requirements Near Transit
A proposed state bill would bar cities from requiring parking in areas adjacent to transit stations in an effort to make housing production more affordable and encourage walking and transit use.
Arlington County Struggles To Meet Affordable Housing Goals
As the region’s population swells and demand for housing grows, Arlington County considers zoning reform to boost its affordable housing stock.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service