The Trump administration's critiques of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) took a strange turn this week.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional (HUD) Administrator Lynne Patton has pledged to live in New York City's public housing for four weeks, moving in to the Patterson Houses in Mott Haven earlier this week.
Mother Jones is calling it a publicity stunt.
Patton announced plans to move from Trump Plaza into New York public housing in November 2018, but waited until after the government shutdown to make the move.
"Patton, who makes an annual government salary of $161,000, said the stint is aimed at getting a firsthand look at conditions in the nation’s largest public housing system," according to an article in the Real Deal.
Patton, who had no experience in housing prior to joining the Trump administration in 2017, has been a vocal critic of public housing agencies during her time in the position. The stunt also occurs a few weeks after HUD Secretary Ben Carson announced new federal oversight of NYCHA.
FULL STORY: HUD official Lynne Patton has moved into NYCHA housing
Trump Official Done with a Month-Long Stay in New York Public Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional (HUD) Administrator Lynne Patton's decision to live in New York public housing for a month was called a publicity stunt. One thing it is for sure: over.
New York City Agrees to Pay $2 Billion on Public Housing
A lawsuit and the resulting settlement forces the city of New York to improve the state of its public housing.
Housing Advocates Gain More Allies on Capitol Hill, by Way of New York City
A growing number of congressional representatives serving the city of New York support aggressive public investment in housing programs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago
A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association