SWUTC Research Project Description
States’ Tools for Connecting Transportation and Affordable Housing
University: University of New Orleans
Principal Investigator:
Catherine Lowe
Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency
(504) 280-6029
Project Monitor:
Anita Hairston
Policylink
Washington, DC.
Funding Source: USDOT
Total Project Cost: $35,613
Project Number: 600451-00107
Date Started: 11/1/12
Estimated Completion Date: 10/31/13
Project Summary
Project Abstract:
Transportation and housing access together shape the ability of citizens to live healthy and productive lives. Federal, state, and local governments spend billions on transportation infrastructure and affordable housing subsidies, but not always in conjunction. Yet, the combined costs of housing and transportation affect whether housing is truly affordable and often depend on proximity to transit. The relationship of housing and transportation is gaining more attraction at the federal level, exemplified in the formation of the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities. States are pivotal in shaping transportation and housing systems. They not only spend state-generated revenue but also frequently determine how federal dollars are spent. The largest federal subsidy for affordable, rental housing is the low-income housing tax credit program (LIHTC), but states determine the criteria for allocating these credits. Each state must develop a qualified allocation plan (QAP) that outlines their LIHTC strategies and criteria. This project will examine to what extent states are considering transportation in LIHTC allocation and examples of state tools to coordinate across housing and transportation.
Project Objectives:
This project will examine to what extent states are considering transportation in LIHTC allocation and examples of state tools to coordinate across housing and transportation. Additionally, this project will also explore the viability of proposed transportation policy interventions in Louisiana and compare the needs and challenges of moderate and low-income residents in urban, peri-urban and rural settings, as proposed by the Louisiana Housing Alliance.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Data Collection
Task 2: QAP Database
Task 3: Data Analysis
Task 4: Final Report on LIHTC Policies and State Practices
Task 5: Site Section for LA LIHTC Study
Task 6: Interviews
Task 7: Analysis and Report
Task 8: Conference Paper Preparation
Implementation of Research Outcomes:
With increasing attention on the need to combine affordable housing with mobility options, this research examined which states have incorporated transit proximity into their allocation of low-income housing tax credits. In addition, the research also reviewed to what extent low-income residential patterns are included in federally required, regional transportation planning.
Products developed by this research include:
Presentation: States’ Tools for Connecting Transportation and Affordable Housing: Findings, Marla Nelson, presented to the 2014 American Planning Association Louisiana State Planning Conference, New Orleans, LA, January 29-31, 2014.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation:
Findings from this research can serve as a resource for transportation agencies (especially MPOs) and housing agencies (especially those responsible for allocating low-income housing tax credit). It is part of the ongoing effort by many policy actors to better tie transportation to issues – like housing.
Key results from this research were presented at the American Planning Association Louisiana State Planning Conference. In attendance during this well attended session were private firms and government staff. Including the Director of Community Development for the City of New Orleans and the Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.
Web Links:
Final Technical Report