MTC Wrestles with Housing Policy as Regional Transit Funding Hangs in Balance

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission faces a defining choice: maintain strong tenant protections tied to billions in transportation funding, or loosen requirements that some jurisdictions say go too far. With a potential 2026 ballot measure for regional transit funding showing 56% support in early polling, commissioners are navigating between housing advocates demanding anti-displacement safeguards and local officials seeking flexibility.

• Commission honors 23-year staffer Therese Trivedi, architect of regional transit-oriented development policies

• $3.2M in community engagement grants approved with new geographic balance requirements

• Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) policy debate exposes deep divisions over tenant protections

• Early polling shows 56% support for SB 63 regional transportation revenue measure

• Next Commission meeting moves to Dec. 17 due to holidays

The Commission's workshop on Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) policy and the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG 4) program revealed fundamental tensions about linking transportation dollars to local housing policies. Staff proposed significant changes: retaining a 2028 regional TOC incentive set-aside while removing TOC scoring from the 2026 county program, aligning housing protections with state law rather than stronger regional standards, and considering special investments for rural North Bay communities.