Federal Loan Programs Offer Billions for TOD

USDOT is encouraging developers to take advantage of loans aimed at supporting the building of multifamily buildings near transit lines.

1 minute read

November 17, 2023, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


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“The Department of Transportation is using two lending programs — the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) — to open up about $35 billion in federal cash with below-market interest rates for multi-family construction within a half-mile of mass transit stations,” reports Eliza Relman in Business Insider. 

The loan programs have the dual goal of boosting multifamily housing construction and growing transit ridership by putting more homes near available transit options. “In fact, in order to qualify for the loans, developers need to show that their projects would boost ridership.”

As Relman notes, “DOT noted a few limitations of the two loan programs, including federal requirements like environmental review and domestic sourcing of construction materials, credit rating, and a 12-14 month timeline for approving projects.”

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Business Insider

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