[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2026

  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, the 
Transit Oriented Development Act, and urge my colleagues to support 
this commonsense, bipartisan effort to expand affordable housing 
opportunities in communities across our country.
  The affordable housing shortage remains one of the most significant 
drivers of the rising cost of living facing millions of Americans. In 
my home state of Hawai`i, the crisis is particularly acute. Housing 
costs consume an outsized share of household income, forcing working 
families to make impossible choices between rent, groceries and health 
care. Far too many of our children (keik), and locals (kama`aina) find 
themselves priced out of the communities they call home.
  To truly address affordability, we must not only increase the supply 
of housing but do so in ways that reflect the unique economic realities 
of our communities and lower overall living costs for families. That 
means building housing that is attainable, well-located, and connected 
to jobs and services.
  One of the most important federal tools we have to do that is the 
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which has long been one of our Nation's 
most successful programs for financing affordable rental housing. Yet 
the current allocation structure does not always reflect the 
significant differences in housing costs and development challenges 
that exist across the country. Because allocations are based 
principally on population, communities facing exceptionally high 
housing costs--including Hawai`i and other noncontiguous 
jurisdictions--often face greater difficulty producing affordable 
housing despite having substantial need.
  Our Transit Oriented Development Act takes a targeted approach to 
addressing that challenge. The bill provides an enhanced Low-Income 
Housing Tax Credit incentive for affordable housing developments 
located within designated transit-oriented development areas. This 
includes places that are already served by rail, bus, harbor or 
waterway transportation and are zoned for higher-density development. 
By encouraging affordable housing near existing transportation 
infrastructure, we can help reduce transportation costs for residents, 
improve access to jobs and essential services and support more 
efficient and sustainable community growth.
  The legislation also recognizes the unique circumstances facing 
Hawaii, Alaska, and the United States territories by providing a modest 
additional basis boost for developments in those jurisdictions. This 
adjustment reflects the higher costs and unique constraints associated 
with affordable housing development in non-contiguous areas while 
helping ensure that the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit can more 
effectively serve the communities it was designed to assist.
  Finally, this bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development to study how geographic differences in housing costs and 
transit accessibility might be better reflected in future tax credit 
allocations. That analysis will help inform future policy discussions 
and ensure that federal housing resources are distributed in a manner 
that more accurately reflects real-world conditions.
  Mr. Speaker, affordable housing and accessible transportation are 
both essential components of strong, resilient communities. This 
legislation advances both goals through a practical, bipartisan 
approach that builds on an existing and proven housing program. For 
these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support the Transit Oriented 
Development Act.

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