How Building Apartments Near Public Transit Can Tackle Housing and Climate Challenges

BOSTON — After years of living on the street and crashing on friends' couches, Quantavia Smith finally received the keys to her own studio apartment in Los Angeles, complete with convenient access to public transit.

The 38-year-old feels like she transitioned from a life where “no one cares” to one where she has a safe place to begin rebuilding. Living above a metro station allows her to search for work without needing a car.

“It is more a sense of relief, a sense of independence,” said Smith, who moved in July. With some government assistance, she pays 30% of her income for rent — just $19 a month for an apartment valued at $2,000.

Metro areas from Los Angeles to Boston are leading the way in linking new housing developments to their proximity to public transit. They often collaborate with developers to streamline permitting processes and promote projects that include more units.

City officials argue that building near transit energizes neglected neighborhoods, provides affordable housing, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on cars on the road.

“Transit-oriented development should be one of, if not the biggest solution for housing development,” stated Yonah Freemark, research director at the Urban Institute’s Land Use Lab.

The Santa Monica and Vermont Apartments, where Smith resides, are part of a plan by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to create 10,000 housing units near transit sites by 2031, incentivizing developers with land discounts.

In Washington D.C., the transit authority has completed eight projects since 2022, providing nearly 1,500 apartments and a million square feet of office space, with many projects partnering with Amazon.

“Big cities face significant challenges with traffic congestion and high housing costs,” noted Freemark. “Building new homes near transit addresses both issues by encouraging public transit use and increasing housing supply.”

Projects in Boston, like the Pok Oi Residents in Chinatown, are strategically located to enhance accessibility. Bernie Hernandez moved his family there after his daughter got into a Boston university, enjoying the convenience of not needing a car.

States like California and Massachusetts are passing laws to combat restrictive zoning regulations that have hindered multifamily development, contributing to housing shortages.

California has enacted a law allowing taller apartment buildings on land owned by transit agencies, while Massachusetts has created zoning districts to facilitate multi-family housing.

However, some advocates argue that the ambitious goals for transit housing are being undermined by local resistance and federal funding shortages. Despite these challenges, the need for affordable housing near transit is critical for revitalizing urban areas and promoting sustainability.

In Los Angeles, the complex where Smith lives has revitalized the surrounding area, leading to new businesses and improved community resources.

“I’m very fortunate to be somewhere where the transit takes me where I want to go,” Smith reflected. “Where I want to go is not that far.”