Dana Hawkins-Simons writes about how the Denver TOD Fund produces and ensures equitable, affordable development around the city's expanding transportation network.
"Equitable transit oriented development (TOD) aims to prevent [rapidly increasing rents] by including housing that’s affordable to local residents in the development plan early on, and assuring that it remains so for decades to come," writes Hawkins-Simons.
The article details the work of the Urban Land Conservancy (ULC), working with Enterprise Community Partners, the city and county of Denver, and other investors to "establish the first affordable housing TOD acquisition fund in the country."
"The purpose of the Denver TOD Fund is to support the creation and preservation of over 1,000 affordable housing units strategically located near transit, as the region builds 122 new miles of rail lines through the FasTracks plan. ULC’s primary role is strategic property acquisition and land assembly, and they oftentimes partner with other organizations— both nonprofit and for-profit—to develop those properties. At times, the ULC also functions as a community land trust, by retaining long-term ownership and stewardship of the land, ensuring the property will benefit the community for generations."
FULL STORY: Living the TOD Lifestyle in Denver: Growing Transit and Affordable Housing
Atlanta Launches $15 Million Transit Oriented Development Fund
The city of Atlanta has some of the longest commutes of any big city in the nation. Supporters hope this fund can help bring a few people out of their cars.
Proposed 'Transit Oriented Denver' Strategic Plan Targets Station Area Investments
The city of Denver recently released its "Transit Oriented Denver" strategic plan to the public. The plan does not revise existing station area plans, but does aim to coordinate between multiple city departments on a "concise work program."
Denver to Replace Public Housing Project with Mixed Use TOD
The Denver Housing Authority is planning on demolishing one of the city's oldest low-income public housing projects to make way for a new mixed-use, transit-oriented housing development.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research