MITOD Strategies & Tools

MITOD strategies can be pursued using several specific MITOD-related tools. These tools are policies, programs, or actions that, when used appropriately and tailored to the station area based on a thorough understanding of local market conditions, may help jurisdictions achieve their MITOD goals.

  • Strategies
  • Tools

Strategies

Identify Appropriate Strategies

Before selecting strategies and tools from the list below, urban planners must first identify the strategies that fit with the existing conditions, trajectory, and MITOD opportunities in the station area of interest. Gaining this understanding can be accomplished through the analysis process outlined in this document's Plan MITOD section. Under this tab, MITOD tools are organized according to their corresponding strategy. Some tools may not be legislatively approved in certain states or cities so review your state and local laws before suggesting the implementation of any MITOD tools.

Prevent displacement via regulation

Some station areas experience rising housing prices when transit is implemented.  Housing and real estate regulations can limit the rising cost of housing in station areas.  Regulations can also deter evictions of low-income tenants.

Locally controlled tools

Preserve TOD-appropriate affordable housing

Development pressures can be heightened when new transit is introduced to an area. While some parcels are ripe for redevelopment, others may contain existing affordable housing, subsidized or unsubsidized, that should be preserved. Pursuing this strategy may be more cost effective than promoting the development of new affordable housing.

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Increase affordable homeownership opportunities

Homeownership may be a priority in certain station areas and can be a form of affordable housing preservation in markets where renter displacement may occur.  Pursuing this strategy may be more cost effective than promoting the development of new affordable housing.

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Promote affordable housing development

Some station areas have desirable development opportunity sites that are appropriate for new affordable housing development.  Local jurisdictions and their partners can take several steps to promote this form of development relative to other development options.

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Preserve affordable housing development opportunities

Some station areas are not prepared for new development or may not require new affordable housing until transit is implemented. In these situations, it may be most appropriate to preserve potential development sites for future affordable housing construction.  That way, when the affordable housing is needed in the future those sites have not risen in price such that development becomes fiscally infeasible.

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Reduce the cost of housing production

Some station areas have desirable housing development sites.  Local jurisdictions and their partners can take several steps to make this development more financially feasible, thus more likely to occur.  Many of these tools promote both affordable and market-rate housing and can prove very effective when coupled with tools that 'Leverage market-rate development.'

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Leverage market-rate development

Station areas with strong markets and substantial housing development potential can leverage station area economic activity to produce housing opportunities for low-income households.  By coupling new market-rate development with affordable housing production and preservation tactics, station areas can remain affordable in the face of strong upward price pressures.

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Promote transit amongst low-income populations

The accessibility that new transit infrastructure provides is only beneficial to those that use it.  Helping communities become aware of the opportunities for transportation savings, increased mobility, and reduced pollution can help them better leverage the public investment that is being made in their area.

Locally controlled tools

Partner controlled tools

Site public facility investments in station area

Public facilities located close to transit can be beneficial to an entire transit corridor.  Siting public facilities in a community can also be the leg-up that a neighborhood needs.  New facility investments can give residents new opportunities for education, health, and interaction.  Commitments of public funds can also spur new investment in an area. 

Locally controlled tools

Tools

Identify Appropriate Tools

For the return user, MITOD tools are listed here alphabetically. Be sure to consider how specific tools relate to broader MITOD strategies. Some tools may not be legislatively approved in certain states or cities so review your state and local laws before suggesting the implementation of any MITOD tools.