Public Interest Waiver of the Application of Certain Domestic Preference Requirements and Policies for Transit-Oriented Development Housing Projects
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation is waiving some rules that usually require using American-made products for certain transit-oriented housing projects getting special government loans. This change helps speed up building affordable homes near transit stations and applies to projects reviewed by the end of 2025. It’s a smart move to get more homes built faster without losing quality or safety.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Waiver for Manufactured Products in TOD Loans
The Department of Transportation is waiving the Buy America requirement for manufactured products for transit-oriented development (TOD) housing projects that get TIFIA or RRIF credit assistance and enter the Build America Bureau's creditworthiness review on or before December 31, 2025. The waiver is effective January 17, 2025 and applies to both projects with for-profit and non-Federal entity borrowers.
Steel, Iron, Construction Rules Still Required
The waiver is limited to manufactured products only; DOT will continue to require domestic content for steel, iron, and construction materials on TOD housing projects. That requirement remains in effect for projects entering creditworthiness review on or before December 31, 2025.
Waiver Applies to All Borrower Types
DOT says this manufactured-products waiver applies equally to TOD housing projects with for-profit borrowers and to projects with non-Federal entity borrowers when those projects enter creditworthiness review on or before December 31, 2025. DOT is keeping a single, consistent rule for all projects receiving TIFIA or RRIF credit assistance during this period.
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