Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program

Identifying and using vacant, abandoned, or underutilized land located on or near transportation projects that is suitable for housing development (including land owned by federal, state, and local governmental entities as well as the private sector).

• Project Example - Rockford, IL: The City of Rockford is using a USDOT grant for the Rockford Complete Streets Revitalization project, which will connect the east and west of downtown Rockford and bring bicycle and pedestrian improvements by reconfiguring the Whitman Street Interchange. This reconfiguration presents an opportunity to leverage previously underutilized land to address the need for more affordable housing. TCTA is providing city staff with strategies for convening stakeholders, including residents, elected officials, government agencies, nonprofits, and private sector entities, to gather input on the City's housing needs, with a goal of creating an actionable housing plan for this underutilized area that has community support.

Preserving affordable housing and small businesses as new infrastructure is deployed.

• Project Example – Redmond, WA: The City of Redmond is receiving TCTA to identify strategies to keep housing affordable. The city faces significant housing cost pressures related to the economic growth in the Puget Sound region, which may be exacerbated by an extension of two light rail projects. With recent funding from USDOT, the city will gain four light rail stations that will improve affordable transit, as well as a shared use path that will improve pedestrian and bicycle access. These transportation improvements will add to the challenges of meeting housing demand, particularly for lower income residents. TCTA is providing city staff with tools to mitigate displacement of residents and small businesses, respond to resident concerns, and address development needs. An important component is developing trust with residents concerned about the changes accompanying new transit stations. 

Improving coordination both among public entities and between public entities and state recipients of infrastructure funding; transit authorities and other quasi-public entities; the private sector; and locally based organizations in ways that support a comprehensive regional approach to housing and transportation.

• Project Example – Syracuse, NY: In 2023, construction began on Syracuse's Interstate 81 viaduct removal project, supported by a USDOT planning grant. As part of the highway demolition, the city is integrating affordable housing and public infrastructure redevelopment into its revitalization plans. Executing on this strategy requires Syracuse city officials to collaborate with multiple government agencies and local communities. TCTA is helping city staff develop strategies for coordinating timelines and messaging across the housing and transportation projects. In addition, TCTA providers are helping city officials strengthen community engagement with the strategy.

Identifying and implementing regulatory and procedural reforms to reduce unnecessary barriers to housing that impede housing production and increase development costs.

• Project Example – Sun Prairie, WI: The City of Sun Prairie is receiving TCTA to build support for zoning reforms to allow density increases near new transportation routes. The City recently began providing local bus service and will be adding Bus Rapid Transit, funded under USDOT's Capital Investment Grants program, in late 2024. This service will connect higher density housing with employment centers, retail areas, schools, transportation nodes, and the downtown area, and will improve access to Madison, WI. City staff are working to build community support and strong partnerships as they face the challenges of retrofitting a bus system for a developed suburban area. TCTA is supporting city planning staff in developing skills to effectively communicate with residents about land use decisions, while hearing and responding to local concerns. The goal is to convey the rationale for increasing density and adopt a holistic housing, transportation and land use plan. TCTA will also help city staff identify best practices to update and align housing, transportation, and land use plans and zoning regulations.

Requests will be reviewed as they are received on a rolling basis.

Apply here: https://forms.office.com/g/qpfE3FKjBU

Tools created for TCTA participants will be publicly shared to benefit governments throughout the country, even if you aren't receiving TCTA directly. Visit the TCTA HUD Exchange Website for more information on TCTA tools and resources.

Visit the TCTA website on HUD Exchange to learn more about TCTA participants and how HUD TA Providers are supporting work in these communities.

Interested in learning more?
Email us at: thrivingcommunitiesTA@hud.gov