U.S. Senator Cory Booker introduced the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act on September 25, 2026, aiming to build over two million housing units near transit hubs and invest $300 billion into the national Housing Trust Fund. The bill addresses a severe national housing affordability crisis, drawing strong support from New Jersey housing advocates. Meanwhile, local initiatives like Los Angeles's $466-million Measure ULA affordable housing fund highlight ongoing regional debates over development feasibility and investor profits.
Introduction of the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act
- ▪The Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act is projected to create more than two million new housing units across the United States if enacted.
- ▪U.S. Senator Cory Booker introduced the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act on September 25, 2026, to expand affordable and workforce housing near major transit hubs.
Provisions of the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act
- ▪The Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act establishes affordability standards reserving units for households earning up to 120% of area median income, with specific set-asides for lower-income households.
- ▪The Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act requires housing projects to be located within a half-mile of major transit hubs, such as rail stations and bus corridors.
- ▪The Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act proposes investing $300 billion over ten years into the national Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing construction.
- ▪The Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program by increasing tax-exempt private activity bond authority by 30%.
Perspectives on the housing crisis
- ▪U.S. Senator Cory Booker stated on September 25, 2026, that the United States faces a housing crisis that makes affordable housing out of reach for millions of families.
- ▪Arnold Cohen of the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ stated on September 25, 2026, that housing affordability is an escalating crisis in New Jersey and across the country.
Endorsements of the proposed transit housing bill
- ▪Peter Kasabach of New Jersey Future expressed support for the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act, stating it will help create housing affordable to a range of incomes.
- ▪Doug Tomson of New Jersey Realtors® stated that his organization supports transit-oriented initiatives like the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act to address housing supply and affordability.
- ▪Peter Rosario of La Casa de Don Pedro stated that the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act would help build workforce housing close to trains and buses for working families in Newark.
Developments regarding Los Angeles's Measure ULA
- ▪Joe Donlin of the United to House LA coalition stated that Measure ULA has no effect on the feasibility of most residential projects, citing a BAE Urban Economics report.
- ▪Carla de Paz of the Community Power Collective advocated using Measure ULA funds to buy apartments and make them permanently affordable amid falling sale prices.
- ▪The Los Angeles City Council advanced a record-breaking $466-million affordable housing fund, primarily funded by Measure ULA, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Debatable claims
- ▪Congress should pass the Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act
- ▪The federal government bears the primary responsibility for solving the affordable housing crisis
- ▪Transit-oriented development is the most effective way to address the housing crisis
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