A recent report released by HUD, “Creating Connected Communities: A Guidebook for Improving Transportation Connections for Low- and Moderate-Income Households in Small and Mid-Sized Cities,” features case studies of five cities that have attempted to transform into Connected Communities: places with affordable housing options, pedestrian-friendly street designs, public spaces, and transportation options to access major employment centers, key goods and services, and amenities. The study outlines several key findings for local leaders, including:

• Coordination among different departments that play a role in housing and transportation can aid in the creation of connected communities. Such partnerships are especially beneficial to small and mid-sized cities with limited resources and staff.
• The types of transportation options that residents need can vary depending on the city’s location within the region.
• Land use plays an important role in determining the ease with which residents can make use of alternate transportation options.
• Considering location and transportation accessibility in selecting sites for new affordable housing can help create connected communities.
• Several cities have demonstrated the benefits of partnering with local, state, and regional agencies and foundations to fund these projects.

The report contains additional strategies and goals, as well as a host of resources and online tools, such as design checklists, links to primers for planning, development toolkits, lists of key federal housing and transportation programs, links to design guides, website information for pertinent organizations, and an annotated bibliography of resources, all of which can be used in linking affordable housing with transportation.