What is TOD?
Transit-oriented development supports vibrant neighborhoods with direct access to transit. Bringing affordable housing, retail, and community spaces near transit expands opportunities for all.
Our role
Sound Transit's role in supporting regional growth goes beyond delivering a great ride. We strive to foster livable communities around transit by supporting opportunities for development and affordable housing near our stations.
Our process
1. Planning stations that foster livable communities
During planning and design, we look at how the neighborhood around the station might change after the light rail is constructed by identifying opportunities to create housing, office space, shops, or public open space.
2. Space for construction becomes land for transit-oriented development
Expanding transit requires Sound Transit to buy land to build stations, install track, and stage equipment and materials. When construction is finished and projects open, we collaborate with communities to support development on surplus property.
3. Supporting affordable housing, jobs, and public spaces to foster communities near transit.
We support equitable transit-oriented communities by creating opportunities for development. Community engagement helps set priorities for affordable housing and other uses that benefit the public.
Program highlights
Transit-oriented development creates connections between neighborhoods and the region, between jobs and housing, between housing and transit, and between people and vibrant communities.
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Read our quarterly reports to learn more about project highlights and updates on the TOD program.
Project updates
Sound Transit works on TOD projects throughout our service area. We partner with non-profit and private developers to bring the community’s vision to life. Our projects range from permanent-supportive housing to market-rate housing, and include everything from early learning centers, restaurants, community spaces, healthcare services, playgrounds and more.
Project highlights
Learn about recent openings, construction updates, and opportunities to get involved.
Recently awarded
Lynnwood City Center Station
Housing Hope to bring affordable housing to Lynnwood City Center Station.
Starting construction
Mercy Angle Lake Family Housing
Affordable housing and critical supportive services in a regional transportation hub
Frequently asked questions
What are Sound Transit's TOD goals?
The TOD program is empowered by the voter‐approved ST3 plan to create diverse, vibrant, and mixed‐income communities around transit. To achieve these outcomes, Sound Transit offers surplus property for the development of affordable housing in accordance with the 80/80/80 policy, a state statute that requires the agency to offer at least 80 percent of surplus property that is suitable for housing to qualified entities to develop housing affordable to families at 80 percent of area median income or less. Our goals for the TOD program, outlined in Sound Transit's Equitable TOD Policy, include:
- Increase the value and effectiveness of transit by increasing transit ridership.
- Support implementation of state, regional and local growth plans, policies, and strategies.
- Make equitable TOD an integral component of and supportive of transit project planning and delivery.
- Engage a broad cross-section of the public, reflecting diverse communities.
- Encourage the creation of diverse housing options near transit with priority to affordability.
- Encourage convenient, safe multi-modal access to the transit system, with an emphasis on non-motorized access.
Each project offers different opportunities to realize the vision for neighborhoods around our stations. We engage communities and partners to define goals for each TOD project, including:
- Enhancing livability by adding different types of housing, convenient retail, employment opportunities, and public space.
- Centering development around people walking, rolling, and using transit.
- Minimizing design elements and space for automobiles within the project.
- Providing space for a mix of useful and convenient services.
- Maximizing opportunities for people to live or work near transit.
Why is Sound Transit focused on affordable housing?
Sound Transit's role in supporting regional growth goes beyond delivering transit and a great ride. People don't ride transit just to ride transit; they ride transit to get to and from the places they need to go, to connect to opportunities, and because transit is convenient and close to home. Finding affordable housing, especially near transit hubs, is becoming increasingly difficult amid rising rents and home prices. Sound Transit strives to be part of the housing solution by creating and supporting opportunities for transit-oriented development and affordable housing near our stations.
What is Sound Transit doing to combat displacement and gentrification?
Expanding transit into communities that have not previously had these connections and opportunities creates upwards pressure on rents and home prices. This contributes to patterns of displacement and gentrification. We plan to develop and implement TOD that is equitable, inclusive, and reflective of the local community. Equitable TOD outcomes, community partnerships, and affordable housing help mitigate displacement and gentrification by providing social and economic opportunities for current and future residents, low-income communities, and people of color. Engagement throughout the TOD process helps us understand how to be partners in creating affordable, inclusive neighborhoods that allow all people to take advantage of opportunities that align with the vision of local communities.
How can developers get involved in Sound Transit’s TOD projects?
We select partners that can deliver projects that align with Sound Transit’s and the community’s goals.
Surplus property is primarily offered through Requests for Proposals. Visit Sound Transit’s online vendor portal to receive notifications.
Sound Transit accepts unsolicited proposals for surplus property in limited circumstances from parties with adjacent property rights or for difficult to develop sites. Submit an unsolicited proposal for transit-oriented development.
How else does Sound Transit support affordable housing?
Sound Transit is committed to creating inclusive, vibrant, and affordable communities in our station areas. Our surplus property may be offered at a discount to qualified entities, which include local governments, housing authorities, and nonprofit developers. Sound Transit also contributes $4 million annually into a revolving loan fund to create more affordable housing opportunities near our stations.
Getting involved
Community engagement
Sound Transit's system and transit-oriented development projects are for you – the community. We want your feedback at every step of the TOD process to guide what these projects look like, what type of housing people need, and what kinds of businesses and services communities want near transit.
Program contact
Have questions about a project near you? Want to learn more about Sound Transit’s TOD program?
Harrison Price, TOD Engagement Program Manager
206-903-7422
harrison.price@soundtransit.org