Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities Grant

The Council was an important early supporter for the goals and activities of the Just Transportation Alliance. In December, The Council awarded JTA a new three-year grant to continue the work started.

Housing and Community Building

Based on our growing understanding and input from our partners, JTA will include housing and state policies on community. This initiative will strengthen strategic connections between land use and transportation and make the promise of integrated, accessible, and inclusive community participation a tangible achievement.

JTA will support great work in Tyler to create a development that connects a transit center, buildings for several community service organizations, and residences.

We are exploring opportunities with Neighborhood Housing Services of Tarrant County to connect their acclaimed work on community housing with increased involvement in transportation.

JTA is working with the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association and others to develop positions on state policy that strengthen strategic connections between transportation and land use.

Community Connections

JTA has "birthed" its first offspring: meet Community Connections. To help transit agencies increase public involvement innovatively, Community Connections provides specific tools to communities to create "connections," enhance neighborhood quality, and identify transit as an important partner in these endeavors.

For a product sample see the Community Connections project report to Capital Metro (PDF, 2.7MB). This pilot project helped guide Capital Metro’s reorganization of their Amenities Program.

PTAC Members

Congratulations to the members of the new Texas Transportation Commission’s Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC). JTA recommended several of the advocates and public transit professionals selected.