Transit-Oriented Development: What Makes It Work?

Transit-oriented development promises to connect housing, transportation, and opportunity—but simply building homes near a train or bus station isn't enough. Our first guest, Jacob Billitteri, Senior Project Manager at Affirmed Housing, joins us to explore what it actually takes to create successful transit-oriented communities and why thoughtful planning matters as much as the housing itself.Using the Berryessa Transit Center development in San José as a real-world case study, we examine how affordable housing, public transit, zoning, financing, and infrastructure can work together to create more connected communities. We also discuss California's SB 79, the challenges facing transit-oriented development, and why reliable transit and long-term regional planning are essential if these communities are going to succeed.Editor's Note: At the beginning of this episode, we revisit a correction from our previous discussion of institutional investors and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Additional information and sources are included below.Sources & More ReadingTransit-Oriented DevelopmentUrban Institute. Transit-Oriented Development. https://www.urban.org/tags/transit-oriented-developmentUrban Institute. Transit-Oriented Development Can Help Cities Grow. Which Urban Areas Are Doing Best? https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/transit-oriented-development-can-help-cities-grow-which-urban-areas-are-doing-bestReconnecting America. Case Studies for Transit-Oriented Development. https://www.njtod.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Briefing-Report-Number-3-Case-Studies-for-Transit-Oriented-Development-ReConnecting-America.pdfSB 79California Department of Housing and Community Development. SB 79 Transit-Oriented Development. https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-research/sb79-todCalifornia YIMBY. SB 79. https://cayimby.org/legislation/sb-79/CalMatters. How California's SB 79 Could Reshape Housing Near Transit. https://calmatters.org/housing/2026/04/sb-79-implementation/Berryessa Transit CenterCity of San José. Berryessa BART Urban Village. https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/planning-building-code-enforcement/planning-division/citywide-planning/urban-villages/berryessa-bartStrategic Growth Council. Nearly 200 Affordable Homes Break Ground at Berryessa Transit Center. https://sgc.ca.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/nearly-200-affordable-homes-break-ground-at-berryessa-transit-center-in-san-jose/Live at Berryessa. https://www.liveatberryessa.com/homeStrategic Growth Council. Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program. https://sgc.ca.gov/grant-programs/ahsc/San Diego Transit & HousingSANDAG. 2025 Regional Plan. https://www.sandag.org/regional-plan/2025-regional-planKPBS. Breaking Down SANDAG's $125 Billion Spending Plan. https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2026/02/09/breaking-down-sandags-125-billion-spending-planSANDAG. Draft SB 79 Transit-Oriented Development Map. https://www.sandag.org/projects-and-programs/regional-initiatives/housing/draft-sb-79-transit-oriented-development-mapSan Diego HistorySan Diego History Center. Streetcars C