Rep. Doggett Helps Secure $1.5 Million for Public Transit Near Affordable Housing

Austin, Texas—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) announced $1.5 million in federal funds for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) to connect affordable housing communities with accessible public transportation, reducing carbon pollution and transportation costs for families while making it easier to get to work, school and other services. 

“With our booming tech industry, thriving cultural scene, and world-class innovation attracting so many more businesses and residents, affordability and mobility have become two of our greatest challenges,” said Rep. Doggett. “This federal investment responds by supporting important local efforts led by Capital Metro to offer improved access for affordable housing residents in North Central Austin with a focus on Crestview, a key transfer point for CapMetro rail and bus." 

"On behalf of CapMetro and the communities we serve, we’re thrilled to be awarded our 5th Transit Oriented Development Pilot Grant,” said Dottie Watkins, President and CEO at CapMetro. “Our Federal, State and Local leaders, as well as the Federal Transit Administration, continue to support our region's commitment to inclusive transit and responsible land use. We look forward to partnering with Austin Housing Finance Corp. to create a multi-modal transit station, linking commuter rail, bus, and future transit expansion projects to support the growing Crestview Station area.” 

The funds, which Rep. Doggett helped secure through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning, will be used in partnership with the City of Austin to coordinate affordable housing and infrastructure development on 5.5 acres of City-owned property adjacent to CapMetro’s Rail Crestview Station. The planning phase will determine how an expansion of the Crestview station will increase ridership as well as potential service impacts, platform design and light rail transit connectivity. 

The FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning provides funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning, examining ways to improve economic development and ridership, foster multimodal connectivity and accessibility, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, engage the private sector, identify infrastructure needs, and enable mixed-use development near transit stations.