Lightfoot Administration Opens Grant Program for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) are inviting community organizations, mission-driven developers, and businesses to apply for the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) grant program. 

Supported by funding from the Chicago Recovery Plan, the ETOD grant program allocates $10 million to fund locally led initiatives with their pre-development and development costs to renovate or construct new spaces and receive technical assistance.  

Projects can range from affordable housing to mixed-use developments. Initiatives such as healthy food retail, community ownership business models and other equity-achieving proposals can receive funding if they are within walking distance of CTA and Metra stations or near high-frequency buses. 

“The grants will help community stakeholders to shape their neighborhoods by improving walkability to corner stores, transit options, affordable housing, and other pedestrian-oriented amenities,” said DPD Commissioner Maurice Cox. “We are inviting proposals from community not-for-profits, mission-driven developers and small businesses.”