The Paterson Housing Authority in New Jersey will soon enact some new rules and fees, including charging $20 for every washer, dryer and large screen plasma television.
"Gorham said the housing authority is adding the appliance fee because the utility costs have been increasing and the large screen plasmas cost more to run than regular television sets.
'We just want people to start thinking another way about living,' Gorham said. 'And the costs - we are looking at how we can really decrease some of the overall maintenance costs of these units, because it's costing us a fortune.'
Gorham said if the Housing Authority did not charge for the televisions, residents might have to pay for their own electricity, instead of having the costs divided equally among all tenants and reflected in the rent.
'If we don't put controls in [place], further down the road, folks are going to have to take on the costs themselves,' Gorham said. 'Yes, it's affordable housing, but the cost to operate is fast getting out of reach for housing authorities.'"
FULL STORY: Riverside tenants want Authority to butt out

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.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service