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

“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.”

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI
It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.

Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment
City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.

High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.

Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units
A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.
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