Presentation outlines FTA Section 5310 call for projects and application support

Anne Steely, owner and chief operating officer of Planning Communities LLC, told the Raleigh Transit Authority the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 program aims to expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities and supports both traditional capital projects and non‑traditional operating projects.

"The Section 5310 program is an FTA program to provide capital and operating grants," Steely said, explaining that large urban areas receive apportionments based on demographic data and that the current local allocation pool is about $2.2 million after CAMPO and administrative set‑asides. She said applications open Aug. 17 and close Sept. 14, awards will be recommended in January 2027, and federal grant funds will be available beginning Oct. 1, 2027.

Steely described eligible projects: rolling stock and passenger facilities (traditional capital, with a requirement that agencies allocate at least 55% to capital) and nontraditional projects such as vouchers, volunteer‑driver programs and travel training (up to 45%). She said nonprofits, private operators and public agencies are eligible under prescribed circumstances and noted vehicle purchases are limited by FTA lien requirements in the area.

Board members asked about outreach and application assistance. Staff and the presenter said outreach has expanded (notification lists grew from ~200 to ~340 providers), a webinar Aug. 10 was well attended, and the program will provide office hours and a new applicant resource toolkit and templates to improve application quality. Steely also encouraged applicants to confirm that their proposed project appears in the coordinated human‑services transit plan, a gating requirement for eligibility.

The authority did not vote on any item at the presentation. Staff committed to follow up on specific questions about reprogramming funds and to coordinate on outreach to the Wake County Continuum of Care and other potential applicants.