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.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions