Close to two dozen municipalities are suing the state, arguing that the affordable housing requirements mandated by the Mount Laurel Doctrine are unrealistic and discriminate against suburban communities.
A group of New Jersey municipalities is asking a court to suspend the state’s affordable housing law until their lawsuit agains the state is resolved, reports Mike Hayes in Gothamist. “The towns claim the law unfairly requires them to build more and more housing without accounting for how much development they can truly support,” a common complaint from cities in New Jersey and other states where similar legislation is in place, such as California.
The towns also claim the law is unconstitutional because it exempts some urban centers designated as “urban aid municipalities.” These are cities with certain characteristics such as high unemployment rates, lower-than-average incomes, or high population density. “Many of these towns are also already home to public housing developments and income-restricted units.” These urban communities are still required to create over 40,000 new homes by rehabilitating existing units.
FULL STORY: NJ towns suing to overturn state’s affordable housing rules ask court to put rules on hold
New Jersey Passes Fair Housing Reform
A new law streamlines and clarifies the state’s affordable housing requirements for cities and towns.
New Jersey Affordable Housing Law Turns 50
The Mount Laurel Doctrine tasks each city and town with creating enough affordable housing to meet their needs, but half a century after its passage, the law still faces opposition in some parts of the state.
Washington State Bills Would Boost Housing in Rural Areas
Several proposed laws could make way for more housing development outside the state’s major city centers.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
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