HUD Announces the City of Redmond to Receive Thriving Communities Technical Assistance
SEATTLE – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Northwest Regional Administrator announced today the initial recipients of technical assistance offered through its Thriving Communities Technical Assistance (TCTA) program: Redmond, WA; Syracuse, NY; Rockford, IL; and Sun Prairie, WI. TCTA is designed to help local governments ensure housing needs are addressed as part of their infrastructure investment plans while supporting equitable development.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided historic resources to build and maintain infrastructure in communities across the country. HUD’s TCTA program helps local governments address pressing housing needs by identifying land for housing development near transportation projects; developing preservation and anti-displacement strategies; identifying and implementing reforms to reduce barriers to location-efficient housing; and improving coordination and supporting a holistic approach to housing and transportation.
"With the historic funding from the Biden-Harris Administration improving communities across our country, it is vital that leaders take housing into account alongside infrastructure improvements," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Margaret Salazar. "Here in the Northwest, we know the housing shortage is acute, which is why I am thrilled that the City of Redmond is taking steps to build their city in a smart and equitable way."
The City of Redmond is using TCTA to identify strategies to preserve affordable housing and prevent displacement. The City faces significant housing 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 will provide 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 the residents at risk of displacement, as well as residents concerned about the changes accompanying new transit stations.
“Redmond is one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington state, making housing supply, affordability, and stability one of my top priorities,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “We thank HUD for this opportunity to advance affordable housing preservation and opportunities for residents and small businesses to thrive in Redmond.”
HUD is offering this technical assistance as part of the Thriving Communities Network, an interagency initiative between HUD and the Departments of Transportation, Energy, Commerce, and Agriculture, as well as the General Services Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Each local government selected for Thriving Communities Technical Assistance is coordinating housing strategies with transportation projects that utilize competitive federal U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) funds. Projects focus on community engagement, coordination among agencies and funding sources, preservation of affordable housing and avoiding displacement, and using vacant or otherwise available land for affordable housing.
Local governments that want to learn more about TCTA or submit a request for assistance should visit the TCTA website for more information. Requests are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
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