FTA Offers $13.4M in Transit-Oriented Development Grants
Simply providing a transit facility, such as a metro station, in a suburban area may not be enough to encourage the greater use of public transportation. However, making the transit facility the hub of the surrounding area could promote transit usage, as well as offer other positive impacts. Therefore, the Department of Transportation (DOT) this week made available about $13.4 million in federal fiscal year 2023 competitive grant funds through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning program to support local planning and investment near transit hubs in an effort to promote sustainable, livable and equitable communities.
By linking public transportation, land use, and housing to create communities that are connected to transit and walkable, FTA states that the program can reduce transportation costs and reduce the public’s carbon footprint by improving transit access to jobs and services.
The program has provided more than $104 million to states, U.S. territories and local governments since 2015 to help communities plan for new opportunities around transit. “Transit-oriented development reduces reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, improves mobility and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “It helps promote transit ridership by creating more opportunities for people to access rail stations, transit centers and bus stops. Through this program, we will support more investments in TOD and help improve communities and people’s lives.”
Special consideration will be given to applicants that improve air quality, advance environmental justice, support unhoused populations and promote housing affordability, according to FTA. This year, applications for areas with a lower population density or lower average income compared to surrounding areas will receive a higher federal funding share. Additionally, applications with a substantial focus on affordable housing may receive up to 100% federal cost share support.
To apply for funding, an 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. The application period will close on Oct. 10, 2023.
Join us for our following Thompson Grants events:
Federal Grants Forum For Institutions of Higher Education | Sept. 13-14, 2023 | Virtual Event
Virtual Advanced Federal Grants Forum | Oct. 25-26, 2023 | Virtual Event
