The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program is a state funding program that supports affordable housing and sustainable transportation projects. AHSC funds are awarded through the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
To date, AHSC has funded over $240 million toward affordable housing and transportation projects across Santa Clara County, including the following:
- More than 1,000 new affordable housing units
- Four VTA electric buses
- Five Caltrain vehicles
- More than 17 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes
- 50,000 feet of safe and accessible walkways
- 29 miles of new bikeways
- More than 6,000 VTA Smart Passes
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) envisions vibrant, well-connected communities where transportation, housing, jobs, and services for everyday needs are seamlessly integrated. Through the AHSC Program, VTA seeks to be a catalyst for transit-oriented development throughout Santa Clara County, fostering safe, accessible, and sustainable mobility options while advancing housing opportunities near transit. By collaborating with public and private partners, VTA aims to secure maximum AHSC funding to deliver integrated projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve connectivity, and create thriving, equitable communities.
Developers can partner with VTA and local jurisdictions to strengthen AHSC applications by including transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and local bus improvement projects. These partnerships are critical for a successful application.
VTA’s Round 10 Intake Form – Now Open
VTA’s AHSC Round 10 Intake Form is now open. Housing developers interested in partnering with VTA on an AHSC application must submit the form by 11:59 PM on January 25, 2026.
Note: VTA-owned TOD sites do not need to submit an intake form. VTA will coordinate directly with the project team.
Key Stakeholders
- Developers: Serve as the primary applicant on the AHSC application.
- VTA and Local Jurisdictions: Serve as partners on applications to scope and deliver transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects.
Resources
The following materials provide information on the AHSC Program, key requirements, and VTA’s partnership process:
VTA Resources
State Resources
- AHSC Webpage
- AHSC Overview
- Housing Eligibility Guide
- AHSC Program Fact Sheet
- Caltrans Contextual Guidance for Preferred Bicycle Facilities – Provides definitions and criteria for context sensitive bikeways
- Caltrans Pedestrian Accessibility Guideline for Highway Projects – Defines standards for safe and accessible walkways
Round 10 Materials
Round 9 Materials
These materials are provided for reference only and will be replaced with Round 10 materials when available.
The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program is a state funding program that supports affordable housing and sustainable transportation projects. AHSC funds are awarded through the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
To date, AHSC has funded over $240 million toward affordable housing and transportation projects across Santa Clara County, including the following:
- More than 1,000 new affordable housing units
- Four VTA electric buses
- Five Caltrain vehicles
- More than 17 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes
- 50,000 feet of safe and accessible walkways
- 29 miles of new bikeways
- More than 6,000 VTA Smart Passes
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) envisions vibrant, well-connected communities where transportation, housing, jobs, and services for everyday needs are seamlessly integrated. Through the AHSC Program, VTA seeks to be a catalyst for transit-oriented development throughout Santa Clara County, fostering safe, accessible, and sustainable mobility options while advancing housing opportunities near transit. By collaborating with public and private partners, VTA aims to secure maximum AHSC funding to deliver integrated projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve connectivity, and create thriving, equitable communities.
Developers can partner with VTA and local jurisdictions to strengthen AHSC applications by including transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and local bus improvement projects. These partnerships are critical for a successful application.
VTA’s Round 10 Intake Form – Now Open
VTA’s AHSC Round 10 Intake Form is now open. Housing developers interested in partnering with VTA on an AHSC application must submit the form by 11:59 PM on January 25, 2026.
Note: VTA-owned TOD sites do not need to submit an intake form. VTA will coordinate directly with the project team.
Key Stakeholders
- Developers: Serve as the primary applicant on the AHSC application.
- VTA and Local Jurisdictions: Serve as partners on applications to scope and deliver transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects.
Resources
The following materials provide information on the AHSC Program, key requirements, and VTA’s partnership process:
VTA Resources
State Resources
- AHSC Webpage
- AHSC Overview
- Housing Eligibility Guide
- AHSC Program Fact Sheet
- Caltrans Contextual Guidance for Preferred Bicycle Facilities – Provides definitions and criteria for context sensitive bikeways
- Caltrans Pedestrian Accessibility Guideline for Highway Projects – Defines standards for safe and accessible walkways
Round 10 Materials
Round 9 Materials
These materials are provided for reference only and will be replaced with Round 10 materials when available.
Interest Form
This form is intended to gather information on potential future AHSC partnerships and is open year-round. VTA appreciates early notice of affordable housing projects that may seek AHSC partnership.
This form is for preliminary interest only. A more detailed intake form for projects requesting a VTA transit partnership will be available ahead of the upcoming AHSC round. Please visit VTA’s AHSC webpage for partnership updates and deadlines.