The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Resources for Community Development (RCD) have released a new study of the role of affordable housing in Transit Oriented Development (TOD) areas. Over the past decade, TOD has become an important strategy for providing affordable housing while also promoting smart growth. Through a survey of affordable housing residents, Transit Oriented Development and Affordable Housing: A Survey of Residents in Five East Bay Properties examines whether living in TOD areas can combine broader goals of improving housing affordability and providing other social and economic equity advantages, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from travel.
RCD Executive Director, Dan Sawislak, commented on the study's value, stating, "With California's mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through reduction of Vehicle Miles Travelled, what residents of multi-family housing have to say is an important addition to the discussion. Their experience shows the value of combining affordable multi-family housing with accessibility to transit and services as a strategy that impacts both housing affordability in California and greenhouse gas reduction."
The study was conducted over the course of six months, collecting responses from over 200 East Bay households at five affordable housing developments, two in TOD locations and three in less centralized places. Residents described how and when they use cars or public transit, where they go, how far they travel, and how they perceive the advantages of where they live. In addition, the study found that a combination of travel alternatives, locations near a denser population of employers, and property and community assistance services can improve employment options for affordable housing residents.
These implications point toward ways in which state and local policies can have an even greater impact in addressing both housing affordability and environmental sustainability. See the full study here.
The San Francisco Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Association of Bay Area Governments Finance Authority provided support for this study.
Association of Bay Area Governments
Founded in 1961, ABAG is the official regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns, and nine counties of the Bay Area and is recognized as the first council of governments in California.
Resources for Community Development
Founded in 1984, RCD has built over 2,200 units of housing and serves over 4,000 low- and very-low income individuals and families in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties. RCD's mission is to create and preserve affordable housing for those with the fewest options, to build community and enrich lives. For more information, visit www.rcdhousing.org.