Transit-Oriented Community Building in California

The Valley Transportation Authority is seeking proposals from Santa Clara County municipalities, jurisdictions, arts, cultural, education, nonprofit and community organizations to support VTA’s vision of equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC). Donor Name: Valley Transportation Authority State: California County: Santa Clara County (CA), Santa Clara County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/22/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Grant Goals  The goal for the grant is to grow innovative and robust partnerships between VTA and local public agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, and other diverse stakeholders to advance implementation of equitable Transit-Oriented Communities in Santa Clara County. Selected projects will empower and strengthen communities, increase transit ridership, reduce the need for car trips, and support intensive mixed-use, mixed-income development around light rail stations and transit hubs. Eligible projects support collaboration and will be located within ½-mile of existing and planned VTA light rail stations, VTA transit centers, BART stations, and commuter rail stations served by Caltrain, ACE, and/or Capitol Corridor. Funding Information Through a competitive process, 14-20 projects are expected to be selected to receive up to approximately $15,000 to $175,000. Selected projects are planned to commence between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Eligible Activities  Grant funding is available for applications that advance the following Transit-Oriented Communities Grant Program Areas: Planning and Policy Implementation Advancing adoption and implementation of policies, plans, and regulations to enable equitable Transit-Oriented Communities. Examples of Eligible Activities: Station area planning Transit access planning and evaluation of mobility needs Equitable development and implementation plans Technical assistance and support for local agency staff to advance alignment with Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Transit-Oriented Communities Policy Community Resilience Supporting community organizations in playing greater roles in implementing equitable transit-oriented communities Examples of Eligible Activities: Implementation of anti-displacement efforts, including activities that advance acquiring, rehabilitating or preserving affordable housing, and housing preservation pilot projects Small business and commercial preservation and support Technical assistance and support for planning and development Programs that encourage and facilitate use of transit and other active transportation modes for individuals with limited incomes Education & Engagement Increasing community leadership and participation to implement Transit-Oriented Communities policies, plans and regulations, and increasing support for equitable, culturally relevant engagement practices, Examples of Eligible Activities: Advocacy campaigns for Transit-Oriented Communities-supportive policies and investments Community-based capacity building through the use of Promotores(as) Translation and interpretation services Food and childcare at community meetings Housing and homeowner application readiness workshops Placemaking, Arts, and Activation Improving the transit rider and community experience through publicly accessible arts and culture projects right next to transit that reinforce local culture, history, or value, and/or community beautification that enhances the safety and accessibility of transit, Examples of Eligible Activities: Place-based arts and culture projects within the public realm that enhance station areas and community culture and identity, such as murals and public art adjacent to transit Universal/inclusive signage design Projects that improve access in transit station area with a focus on pedestrian experience, such as crossing guards, park/trail clean-ups, graffiti-removal Festival-style events, such as outdoor street festivals or performance. For more information, visit VTA.