More than a dozen community-based organizations and local agencies throughout Santa Clara County received VTA funding through a cutting-edge program to enhance transit-oriented communities.  The grants were announced at a press event Wednesday, October 30 at MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana) in San Jose, CA.

“Through the TOC Grant Program, VTA is empowering communities to take an active role in shaping their future,” said VTA General Manager and CEO Carolyn Gonot. “These projects will not only enhance access to transit but also help create inclusive, sustainable neighborhoods where all our residents can thrive.”

Projects funded in this one-of-a-kind transit agency funding program received $15,000 to $175,000 to advance the creation of vibrant, equitable, and sustainable public spaces, housing, and commercial development near public transit stations throughout the county. Recipients were divided into four program areas:

1.  Planning and Policy Implementation: This area supports local agencies in advancing long-term plans and policies that advance sustainable growth around transit. Grantees in this area will receive up to $175,000 each.

· City of San Jose - Consolidated Light Rail Urban Village and Station Area Planning Corridor

· City of Santa Clara - Santa Clara Station Area Form-Based Code
 

2. Community Resilience: This category funds initiatives by community-based organizations aimed at enhancing the stability and resilience of communities surrounding transit. Grantees in this area will receive up to $100,000 each.

· Carry the Vision - Community Rising Coalition

· Prosperity Lab - Business 360°

· School of Arts and Culture - La Avenida/La Placita Development Planning
 

3. Education and Engagement: Focused on elevating community leadership and engagement to shape their neighborhoods and advocate for equitable, transit-friendly policies. Grantees will receive up to $27,500 each.

· Palo Alto Forward - TOD Education, Engagement, & Advocacy

· Palo Alto Transportation Management Association - Mode shift for low-wage essential workers in Palo Alto

· Transform - Sustainable Transportation Education and Engagement
 

4. Placemaking, Arts, and Activation: This area funds creative placemaking initiatives to enrich public spaces around transit stations through art, culture, and beautification. Grantees will receive up to $15,000 each.

· Arts Mountain View - Mountain View Transit Project

· Cinequest Inc. - Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival

· Friends of Levitt Pavilion - Levitt San Jose 2024 Fall and Spring 2025 Concert Series

· Gilroy Arts Alliance - Our Community Pillars Project

· MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana)  - ¡WEPA! FEST

· San Martin Neighborhood Association - Spruce Up San Martin

VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) program works to strengthen communities, increase transit ridership, reduce the need for car trips, and support intensive mixed-use, mixed-income development around light rail stations and transit hubs. VTA encourages transit-oriented development, providing long-term property leases for developers building market rate, affordable and emergency housing near VTA light rail stations and transit centers. The TOC Grant Program complements this approach by extending a community investment strategy to the immediate neighborhoods next to train stations and transit centers to implement essential elements of strong communities including promoting affordable housing, small business retention, and enhancing vibrancy through arts and culture.

This is the first time VTA has granted funding for outside organizations to have an impact on the planning and policy, community resilience, education and engagement and creative enrichment of public spaces. VTA will begin accepting applications for the 2025 program in the spring. Interested local agencies and community-based organizations are encouraged to attend a pre-application workshop to learn about the program’s guidelines and application process.

For more information on VTA’s Transit-Oriented Communities work and the TOC Policy, please visit vta.org/toc or contact the program team at TOCGrant@vta.org.

Watch the October 30, 2024 grant award event on Facebook.