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Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program
Metro’s grant writing services support LA County communities in pursuing funding for federal, state, local dollars for eligible transit oriented community planning and capital projects.
Interested in discussing a potential project? Connect with our team on a virtual call.
What are Transit Oriented Communities (TOCs)?
Transit oriented communities are places that, by their design, make it more convenient to take transit, walk, bike or roll than to drive. Metro has a plan to make it easier to get around Los Angeles, a plan that includes shaping transit oriented communities.
Improving travel experiences in our region can only be accomplished through partnerships with local jurisdictions in LA County that reach beyond the footprint of Metro stations and bus stops.
The Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program is one of the ways Metro is partnering with local jurisdictions in supporting the growth of transit oriented communities.
Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program Process
The Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program is available to LA County jurisdictions with eligible projects year-round. To date, the program has been successful in securing over $37 million in capital and planning funding dollars. The following steps outline the grant writing assistance process:
1. Identify a Transit Oriented Communities Project
Review the following tools to determine if a project proposal is eligible for Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program:
a. Project area is located near a Major Transit Stop
Use the Eligible Project Areas map to find locations that qualify for this program. Eligible projects must be located near a Major Transit Stop*.
*Major Transit Stop Definition
Major Transit Stop, per California Public Resource Code 21064.3, which may be amended from time-to-time, is defined as:
(a) An existing rail or bus rapid transit station (PRC 21060.2)
(b) A ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service.
(c) The intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.
Per the intent of the TOC Policy, Major Transit Stop shall also include an environmentally-cleared fixed guideway transit station. A planned fixed-guideway station may also be considered if its location is the only alternative under consideration for a transit corridor in the planning stages.
b. Project incorporates a Transit Oriented Community Activity
Eligible Transit Oriented Community Activities
Projects eligible for grant writing assistance must incorporate at least one of the following Transit Oriented Community Activities:
| Eligible TOC Activities | Distance from Major Transit Stop* |
|---|---|
| Affordable Housing: - Preserving affordable housing - Producing affordable housing (including site specific environmental work) | Within a half mile |
| Community Stabilization: - Anti-displacement for residents - Anti-displacement for local businesses - Placemaking - Economic development | Within a half mile |
| Regional Housing Needs Assessment, with a TOC focus: - Studying policy changes to zoning, density - Utility assessment for housing development | Within a half mile |
| First/Last Mile: - First/Last Mile planning assessment - First/Last Mile strategy design refinement | Within three miles |
| Measure M Metro Active Transport (MAT): - Supporting MAT recipients for further project development | N/A |
| Transit to Parks: - Must connect Community of Interest to a high quality park or open space (See Transit to Parks Strategic Plan, pg 28) | Countywide |
2. Find an Eligible Funding Program for Project
Search our Transit Oriented Communities Supportive Funding Program Index to find a program that aligns with your Transit Oriented Communities Project proposal. Through the Index, you can sort programs by project and funding types.
A project must meet the qualifications for the external funding source and Metro’s requirements of incorporating TOC Activities and proximity to a Major Transit Stop to be approved for grant writing assistance.
3. Apply for Grant Writing Assistance from Metro
Before applying:
- Contact Metro Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance program staff to:
– Confirm your project proposal may be eligible for Metro TOC Grant Writing Assistance
– Schedule time with Metro’s grant writer
– Establish timeline for application submittal - Outline draft scope of project proposal
- Demonstrate project buy-in from city leadership
Submit completed application with required attachments to tocimplementation@metro.net.
4. Partner with Metro’s Grant Writer to Apply to Funding Program
Once a Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program application has been reviewed and approved, the awardee will begin working with Metro’s grant writer to complete the external funding program application.
Transit Oriented Communities Grant Writing Assistance Program awardees must:
- Provide Metro’s grant writer with relevant documentation
- Be available to attend weekly calls with Metro’s grant writer
- Review and comment on application deliverables drafted by Metro’s grant writer
Additional Resources
Contact
For general inquiries: tocimplementation@metro.net
Want to discuss a potential project? Connect with our team over a virtual call.
