Transcending Adversity: How Transit-Linked Housing is Transforming Lives in Urban Areas

Thu Nov 13 2025 10:07:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Explore the impact of transit-oriented housing developments in major cities worldwide, focusing on the case of Quantavia Smith in Los Angeles. These initiatives are revitalizing neighborhoods, providing affordable living, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Urban transit-oriented housing projects are gaining momentum across the US, providing affordable options for low-income residents while tackling traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Residents like Quantavia Smith find new independence and access to essential transit, allowing them to rebuild their lives after experiences of homelessness. This new model not only revitalizes communities but also aligns with state-level initiatives aimed at zoning reform and affordable development.

In Los Angeles, after years of homelessness and instability, 38-year-old Quantavia Smith has found a new lease on life. With the keys to her studio apartment, Smith describes transitioning from a life where no one cares to experiencing the relief and independence of having her own space. Her apartment, located conveniently above a metro station, serves as a critical access point as she seeks employment without a vehicle.

Since moving in July, Smith pays only $19 a month for her apartment, significantly subsidized by government assistance while its market value stands at $2,000. Moreover, urban centers from Los Angeles to Boston are increasingly connecting housing developments with public transit options, creating synergy between transit systems and affordable living.

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

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has ambitious plans to build 10,000 housing units near transit sites by 2031, providing developers with land discounts in return for affordable housing provisions. Similar initiatives in Washington D.C. have fostered nearly 1,500 housing units near transit since 2022.

For families like Bernie Hernandez’s, who relocated to Boston for his daughter's education, living near public transit significantly eases daily logistics, fostering a lifestyle free from car dependence. “The big difference is commuting. You don’t need a car,” Hernandez noted.

States such as Massachusetts and California are enacting legislation aimed at easing restrictive zoning regulations that have historically hampered multi-family housing developments, contributing to a chronic housing shortage. These laws encourage the establishment of housing units close to transit to boost accessibility while alleviating traffic congestion.

However, the push for transit-oriented housing faces resistance from local communities concerned about changes in zoning and property values. Lawsuit attempts to halt such developments and the complexities of local regulatory frameworks pose significant challenges.

Yet, successful projects are emerging, like the six-story structure in East Hollywood where Smith now resides. The complex offers 187 units, half of which are reserved for formerly homeless individuals, contributing to neighborhood revitalization efforts. With access to case workers and skill training programs, residents are empowered to rebuild their lives.

“I'm very fortunate to be somewhere where the transit takes me where I want to go,” Smith expressed, highlighting the transformational potential of accessible housing and robust public transit networks.