Module 6 BUILDING MIXED-INCOME COMMUNITIES NEAR TRANSIT

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Introduction This is one of seven Transit Oriented Development training modules developed by the Regional Plan Association, the Project for Public Spaces and Reconnecting America under contract to the New York State Department of Transportation in collaboration with the New York State Thruway Authority and MTA/Metro-North Railroad. The modules were presented and tested in one-day training sessions in two counties and two-day training sessions in eight municipalities, all in the lower Hudson Valley. Each module is, largely, the culmination of the versions used in the training sessions. The seven modules are as follow. Module 1: Building Quality communities Around Transit Module 2: Changing Street Design to Support Liveable Development Module 3: Smart Parking Module 4: Creating Great Places Around Transit Module 5: Regulations and Financing Tools for TOD Module 6: Building Mixed Income Communities Around Transit Module 7: Station Area Planning

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Key Concepts and Definitions Mixed-Income Communities  Goal is to provide housing for existing residents and workers.  Low- to moderate-income households bear greatest transportation cost burdens.  Location-efficient mixed-income housing reduces Housing and Transportation costs  Provide housing for a variety of incomes and stabilize community.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Key Concepts and Definitions Housing and Transportation Costs  Transportation is the second-highest household expense after housing.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Key Concepts and Definitions Location Efficiency  Location is a major factor in transportation costs for households and businesses.  The key drivers of Location Efficiency in a municipal context are : Compact neighborhoods Walkable streets Access to transit Mix of use and services

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Benefits of Mixed-Income TOD  Offers Truly Affordable Housing  Incorporates a mix of uses  Broadens Access to Opportunity  Relieves Gentrification Pressures  Provides for a diversity of people - singles, families, retirees

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Benefits of Mixed-Income Neighborhoods  Allows families the ability to continue living in the same community by providing a mix of housing types.  Ensures community stability and sustainability.  Helps stabilize workforce.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Combined Benefits of Mixed- Income Communities and TOD  Reduces total housing and transportation costs.  Demonstrates positive public investment in community and transit. Providing for a mix of all incomes is good but providing for a mix of incomes in walkable neighborhoods near transit is even better.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Challenges  The cost of land and housing production in location- efficient communities is high.  There is a lack of coordination among multiple stakeholders and sectors.  Market demand for housing near transit drives up costs.  Mixed-income and mixed-use projects require complex financing.  Public investment is often needed to provide a mix of incomes.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit 4 Strategies to Create or Preserve Mixed-Income Communities 1. Have proactive Station Area Planning. 2. Provide incentives and ease or remove regulatory barriers. 3. Preserve existing housing stock. 4. Coordinate investments in location efficiency.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Strategy 1: Proactively Plan for Station Areas Bring all stakeholders together. Plan for the area, the municipality and the transit region. Identify needs and opportunities. Set the long-term vision and implementation plan.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit What Goes Into a Good Station Area Plan? Community Engagement and Vision Comprehensive Land Use Plan Public Investments in Roads, Parks, etc. Implementation and Financing Pla n

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Strategy 2: Provide Incentives and Ease or Remove Regulatory Barriers Retool zoning and financial incentives to meet goals. Allow for increased density to support local-serving retail. Encourage a mix of housing and other uses (Inclusionary Zoning).

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Inclusionary Zoning as a Tool Use market momentum to generate new mixed- income development. Expand housing options near transit with a mix of housing types, densities and income levels. Affordable levels need to be calibrated to local market.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Strategy 3: Preserve of Existing Housing Stock More mixed-income housing exists today than can be built tomorrow. Existing subsidy contracts have limited terms. Existing market affordability can be maintained.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Tools for Preservation of Existing Housing Stock  Land/property acquisition funds  Housing Trust Funds  Retooled federal and state policies regarding the housing stock located near transit

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Land Bank/Land Acquisition Fund Preserves opportunities for mixed-income housing as land values rise. Can leverage market interest for mixed-income housing. New models led by non-profit with city investment. Scaleybark Station, Charlotte

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Housing Trust Funds Can be used for new construction or preservation. Are more flexible than Federal housing programs. Can be easily targeted to efficient locations.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Mixed-Income, Location Efficient Communities Are More Than Housing Housing needs to be linked to jobs, shopping and community uses. Other public investments should support mixed-income communities. Bookmark Apartments, Portland, OR

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Strategy 4: Coordinate Investments in Location Efficiency Focus public/private investment in walkable neighborhoods near transit. Non-residential investments in development around transit create value that can be captured and reinvested in the community.

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Strategy 4: Essential Attributes of (Local) Location Efficiency Mixed uses Mixed incomes Proximate access to multiple transportation modes Density

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Other Tools Housing +Transportation Affordability Index  An interactive tool that measures the true affordability of housing based on location.  Users can find out housing and transportation costs in their region.  Database has more than 330 metro regions.  More information is available at

Module 6 Building Mixed-Income Communities Near Transit Other Tools Mixed-Income TOD Action Guide  A tool for local jurisdictions working to foster mixed-income transit-oriented development (TOD) around planned transit stations.  Has invaluable data that describes the demographics and market-potential of the transit district of interest.  More information is at

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