“Inclusion of this critical pro-housing provision in the NDAA marks a serious commitment by Congress and President Biden to address the nation’s housing crisis by encouraging development of affordable housing near city centers or along accessible transit lines,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. “We applaud U.S. Representative Adam Smith for introducing the Promoting Affordable Housing Near Transit Act and thank Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) for fighting to include the bill in the FY2022 NDAA.”

“We all know there is a housing crisis in Washington state, and we know the solution is to build more affordable housing,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). “I’m proud to have helped secure this measure, which will not only help create more affordable housing, but encourage it in high-value areas near public transportation—helping families save time and money, cutting carbon emissions, and bolstering local economies.”

“I am incredibly proud that my bill – the Promoting Affordable Housing Near Transit Act – will soon become law,” said Representative Adam Smith (D-WA-09). “Once enacted this bill will help facilitate creative ways to develop new, affordable housing units near city centers or along accessible transit lines. Specifically, my legislation will allow transit entities to partner with community-driven organizations to utilize currently unused land and build affordable, transit-accessible housing for those who need it most. As housing costs continue to rise in urban areas – including King County – we must get creative about securing affordability. That is why it was so important for my legislation to be included in this year’s annual defense bill, and why I fought so hard for it to remain in the bill.”

The Promoting Affordable Housing Near Transit Act establishes a process by which a non-profit organization or other third-party entity can receive a land transfer from a federal transit grant recipient at zero cost for the purposes of affordable housing development. The provision requires recipients to have a demonstrated track record of developing affordable housing and requires the Secretary of Transportation to certify that at least 40% of the units are affordable to households with incomes at or below 60% of AMI and that the housing will remain affordable for 30 years.

“Transit agencies often own land that is unnecessary for transit facilities but ideal for affordable housing. Unfortunately, current law doesn’t allow agencies to donate this land to affordable housing developers,” said Kingsella. “Increasing the supply of affordable housing near transit is one of the most important ways to advance economic and social equity. The Promoting Affordable Housing Near Transit Act addresses this obstacle by providing transit agencies with the authority to donate unused land to produce affordable housing in transit-served areas, ensuring that more people have critical access to jobs and opportunities.”

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Up for Growth Action® is a 501(c)(4) federal legislative advocacy organization that advocates for policies to achieve housing equity, eliminate systemic barriers, and create more homes. Up for Growth Action is affiliated with Up for Growth®, a 501(c)(3) cross-sector member network committed to solving the housing shortage and affordability crisis through data-driven research and evidence-based policy.