Executive Director’s Monthly Report, June 2026
SCAG’s SB 79 Transit-Oriented Development Map Now Available
SCAG published its preliminary draft transit-oriented development map required by Senate Bill (SB) 79 (Wiener, 2025) on June 1, after publishing a approach and methodology for the map in May. These publications prepare the SCAG region for this legislation, which takes effect statewide on July 1.
SCAG’s Community, Economic, and Human Development Committee discussed both the map and the approach and methodology document at its June 4 meeting, recommending that the Regional Council approve the SB 79 document subject to revisions, technical corrections, or clarifications identified by staff during the review period, provided that any material changes to the approach and methodology are presented to the Regional Council for consideration at the July 2 meeting.
SB 79 directs each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) in California to develop and maintain an official SB 79 “Stops, Zones, and Tiers Map” for its region.
This map identifies qualifying transit stops, transit-oriented development zones, and tier classifications based on service characteristics in qualifying urban transit counties. According to state guidance and the language of SB 79, Los Angeles County is currently the only "urban transit county" in the SCAG region. Orange County will become an urban transit county when the OC Streetcar opens for revenue service. SCAG will update the map annually and when a county becomes an urban transit county.
SB 79 aims to accelerate transit-oriented housing production by making qualifying projects an allowed use on sites zoned for residential, mixed-use, or commercial development if the project meets applicable requirements. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided guidance, the “SB 79 Advisory Clarifications on Definitions for Metropolitan Planning Organizations,” in March 2026, which SCAG used to inform its approach and methodology for the region’s SB 79 map. SCAG also worked closely with HCD and state MPOs to support early SB 79 implementation planning and to inform HCD guidance on mapping directions, eligibility criteria, and statutory definitions. HCD will also be responsible for enforcing SB 79.
Any corrections to the map can be provided to staff with documentation at sb79@scag.ca.gov before June 12. SCAG will address corrections to the map by the statutory deadline of July 1 and publish the final methodology upon Regional Council action on July 2.
SCAG Launches 7th Regional Housing Needs Assessment Process and Subcommittee
SCAG kicked off the 7th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process on June 4 with an overview of the upcoming 7th RHNA cycle and the Regional Council approving the approach to RHNA Subcommittee membership. RHNA is a state-mandated planning process authorized under California Government Code Section 65584. The RHNA process occurs in eight-year planning cycles to ensure cities and counties plan for housing while advancing affordability, sustainability, and fair housing goals.
SCAG coordinates the RHNA process for the six-county region, including allocation methodology, public outreach, draft allocations, and the appeals process. Beginning in summer 2026, SCAG will convene the RHNA Subcommittee. To increase geographic population representation, RHNA Subcommittee membership was expanded in its overall number as well as the number of members per county to provide oversight, review public input, and make recommendations to the Regional Council and the Community, Economic, and Human Development policy committee throughout the RHNA process.
For more on SCAG’s RHNA process and opportunities to engage with the process, visit SCAG News.
Policy Committees Hear Connect SoCal 2024 Implementation Update
A June 2026 staff report provides the fourth Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Implementation Strategies update to the policy committees since its adoption in April 2024.
To date, 84 of the 93 strategies have progressed. Since the last update in November 2025, SCAG reports the following milestones:
- Coordination with regional partners to prepare for increased travel demand tied to upcoming mega-events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Approval of Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funding recommendations by the SCAG Regional Council.
- Publication of the 2026 State of the Region Report and Regional Resilience Toolkit.
- Launch of the Smart Cities Strategic Plan effort.
To learn more about implementation reporting, visit the Connect SoCal 2024 website.
Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center Opens With REAP 2.0 Funding
On May 11, regional and local leaders celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), which will bring mobility, safety, and sustainability benefits to Imperial County.
SCAG contributed $1 million to the project through the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) to support site acquisition. SCAG partnered on the project for more than a decade, including funding a 2014 feasibility study with Caltrans, the Imperial County Transportation Commission, and the city of Calexico to identify and evaluate the project site.
To read more about SCAG’s support for the Calexico ITC and what the new facility will deliver to the region, visit SCAG News.
SCAG Hosts 2026 California Transportation Congressional Reception During Federal Advocacy Trip
SCAG Regional Council President Ray Marquez led a small delegation to Washington, D.C., in May to advocate for SCAG's federal legislative priorities, including surface transportation reauthorization, 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games funding, and housing. President Marquez was joined by Regional Council First Vice President Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula), Immediate Past President Cindy Allen (Long Beach), Legislative/Communications and Memberships Vice Chair Jan Harnik (Riverside County Transportation Commission), and Regional Council members Wendy Bucknum (Mission Viejo) and Daniel Ramos (Adelanto). Over the course of the trip, the SCAG delegation participated in 21 meetings with various members of Congress and their legislative staff, as well as relevant committee and agency staff.
The trip concluded with SCAG's annual California Congressional Transportation Reception on May 19, co-hosted with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The event brought together California's transportation leaders in the nation's capital to network and discuss issues affecting California's needs, drawing over 200 attendees, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Oakland), and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Hawthorne).
SCAG Gathers Input on Planning for Main Streets Projects
The Planning for Main Streets project is a regional effort led by SCAG to reimagine state highway corridors that double as community main streets. The project focuses on four corridors—State Route (SR) 1 in Los Angeles County, SR-18 in San Bernardino County, SR-39 in Orange County, and SR-86 in Imperial County—aiming to transform these roads into people-centered places that balance transportation needs with community well-being.
In April and May, SCAG hosted virtual community workshops to introduce the project and gather community input. Participants learned about current conditions along the corridors and joined breakout discussions to share priorities, concerns, and ideas for improvements. This feedback will inform potential safety, mobility, and placemaking improvements considered during the project.
The workshops were also attended by representatives from corresponding Caltrans districts, departments of transportation, councils of government, county transportation commissions, city staff, and community-based organizations.
For more information about the Planning for Main Streets project, please visit the SCAG website.
SCAG Hosts ‘Understanding Economic Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau’ Toolbox Tuesday
On May 12, SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday to explore U.S. Census Bureau tools for understanding economic trends.
The session included presentations from U.S. Census Bureau staff on the Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES) and the Economic Census. Launched in 2024, the AIES consolidates seven annual surveys into one streamlined source of nationwide data on business earnings, online sales, costs and inventory, investments, and local revenue. The Economic Census, conducted every five years, provides comprehensive statistics at the national, state, and local levels.
The full session is available on YouTube.
City of Murrieta Launches New Revolving Loan Fund for Affordable Housing
Murrieta received $4.1 million from SCAG’s Lasting Affordability Program under the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 for a new revolving loan fund. The loan fund, formed on March 17, expands long-term funding for affordable housing projects in the city, with funding available for new projects or to maintain existing projects. Murrieta will begin accepting applications under the program by June, expecting at least two affordable housing projects to be funded annually in the first few years of the fund.
To date, the Lasting Affordability Program has disbursed approximately $18 million in direct funding to existing and newly formed housing funds to expand finance tools and lending products to create supply, choice, and ongoing affordability.
SBCCOG Forms South Bay Regional Housing Trust Under REAP 2.0 Program
On April 15, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) filed a Joint Powers Agreement to create the South Bay Regional Housing Trust. Funded by SCAG’s Subregional Partnership Program under the Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021, the trust enables South Bay jurisdictions to work together on affordable housing. The trust's purpose is to receive and leverage public and private funding for the planning and construction of housing types that serve extremely low-, very low-, and low-income households, including permanent supportive housing.
So far, 11 SBCCOG jurisdictions have voted to join the trust, and its kickoff meeting was held on April 30. The trust will focus on establishing its governance structure, identifying funding opportunities, and advancing regional priorities to support development and preservation of affordable housing throughout the South Bay.
Mission Viejo and OCTA Demonstrate Traffic Safety Designs at Pedal la Paz Event
As part of its Bikeway Connectivity Study, Orange County Transportation Authority, in partnership with Mission Viejo, hosted the Pedal la Paz event in front of Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo on May 16. The event gathered community input and temporarily showcased potential bikeway improvements using materials from the SCAG Go Human Kit of Parts Lending Library.
Riverside University Health System, SCAG Go Human Partner, Receives APA Inland Empire Section Award
On May 21, the American Planning Association Inland Empire Section recognized the Riverside University Health System-Public Health (RUHS-PH) at its awards ceremony in Eastvale with the Award of Merit in the Communications Initiative & Outreach category for their pedestrian safety campaign, a 2024 Go Human co-branded messaging project. RUHS-PH partnered with Go Human and National CineMedia to develop and implement a three-month pedestrian safety campaign, in English and Spanish, across 12 movie theaters in San Jacinto, alongside digital and video messaging across Hemet and the Coachella Valley, generating half a million impressions.
SCAG Joins OCCOG 2026 Annual Conference
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) 2026 Annual Conference. This year’s theme, “The Future is Here,” convened Orange County’s elected officials, city managers, planning directors, and private sector leaders to discuss how to prepare for and leverage emerging technologies. From technology related to wildfire preparedness technology to advanced air mobility, the conference convened several panels on how to encourage and properly regulate new technologies already shaping the region. The conference was also the official kickoff for OCCOG’s Advanced Air Mobility Working Group, a new collaborative effort that includes SCAG as a member.
SCAG Represents at Sacramento Latina Action Day
SCAG Regional Council First Vice President Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula), Regional Council Member Laura Hernandez (Port Hueneme), SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena, and SCAG staff attended the 32nd annual Latina Action Day in Sacramento. Hosted by Hispanics Organized for Policy Equality, the event included a full day of panels, workshops, and opportunities to strengthen networks, build social capital, and connect across diverse communities. While in Sacramento, the SCAG cohort also met with Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks).
SCAG Presents SoCal Safety Predictive Modeling Platform to Safety Leaders
SCAG presented the SoCal Safety Predictive Modeling Platform at the biannual meeting of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan Executive Leadership Committee on May 7. Karl Fielding, planning supervisor with the SCAG Mobility Planning and Goods Movement team, presented on behalf of SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise. Following the SCAG overview, the Citian consultant team presented an overview of the technical functionality of this innovative safety planning tool.
The California Office of Traffic Safety funded the development of SCAG’s SoCal Safety Predictive Modeling Platform to allow planners to assess emerging traffic safety issues at the local level and generate countermeasure recommendations to mitigate those risks. The tool also enables monitoring the performance of safety interventions over time to assess their effectiveness in improving safety outcomes. The tool can also forecast future traffic safety performance based on existing trends and expected improvements. To request access to the platform, email contact@scag.ca.gov.
