Guides and Explainers

A color graphic divided into four quadrants, each representing a different zoning category: a house on green (residential), trees on blue (green space), a factory on red (industrial), and barren land with branches on yellow (unused land). The background is black with abstract grey curves on both sides.

How municipal zoning and planning work in New Jersey

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Guides and Explainers
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January 15, 2025

Zoning and planning boards decide what gets built where in every city and town in New Jersey. Here is how zoning works and how to get involved in zoning and planning decisions where you live.

Latest in Guides and Explainers
The image features a blue telephone receiver forming a circular outline with graphic of a house with a blue roof, a yellow key, and a green gavel. It has a plain gray background.
Facing eviction in New Jersey? This housing hotline offers free support to help you figure out your next steps.
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Housing
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January 8, 2025

Evictions are the second leading cause of homelessness in Essex County. Learn more about this resource from Ironbound Community Corporation that can help you navigate evictions.

Cómo encontrar recursos sobre el aborto en Nueva Jersey
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Reproductive Health
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December 2, 2024

Aquí se explica cómo encontrar un proveedor de un aborto, conseguir apoyo financiero u otro tipo de apoyo, y reconocer centros antiaborto en el Condado de Essex y Nueva Jersey.

A graphic depicting an ultrasound, two blue pills, a clinic, and a pregnancy test centered in the image.
How to find abortion resources in New Jersey
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Guides and Explainers
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November 22, 2024

Here is how to find an abortion provider, get financial or other support, and spot anti-abortion centers in Essex County and New Jersey.

An aerial photo of a neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey with a road in running down the middle and multi-family houses on either side. There is a church at the end of the street centered in the photo.
New N.J. affordable housing guidelines call for 3,700 more affordable homes in Essex County by 2035
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Guides and Explainers
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November 21, 2024

New housing law could bring more than 84,000 new affordable housing units across New Jersey by 2035, with half reserved for low-income families.

Belleville 2024 school board candidates share backgrounds, key issues, reasons for running
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West Orange
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November 5, 2024

Four candidates are running in the 2024 election for the Belleville Board of Education. The Jersey Bee reached out with questions and heard from Nicole Coviello Daddis and Jean Rodriguez Gillis about why they're running.

West Orange 2024 school board candidates share backgrounds, key issues, reasons for running
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West Orange
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November 1, 2024

Four candidates are running in the 2024 election for the West Orange Board of Education. The Jersey Bee reached out with questions and heard from Adam Kraemer, Brian Rock, and Eric Stevenson about why they're running.

South Orange-Maplewood 2024 school board candidates share backgrounds, key issues, reasons for running
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Guides and Explainers
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November 1, 2024

Seven candidates are running in the 2024 election for the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education. The Jersey Bee reached out with questions and heard from Paul Stephan, Arun Vadlamani, Deirdre Brown, Bethany Joseph, Bimal Kapadia, and Qawi Telesford about why they're running.

A red sign on the outside of store door reads "We accept EBT food stamp benefits."
Lo qué debe hacer si le roban sus beneficios de SNAP en Nueva Jersey
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Español
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August 14, 2024

Cada vez más residentes de Nueva Jersey sufren estafas de SNAP y robo de sus beneficios. Aquí le explicamos cómo solicitar el reembolso de los beneficios SNAP robados y protegerse del fraude.

Four people sit in chairs on a stage in discussion below a screen that reads "The Promise of Juneteenth: New Jersey Reparations Council Year One" with the raised fists of people of color pictured.
Advocates will propose a reparations plan for New Jersey. Here is what residents should know
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Reporting
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August 12, 2024

In 2025, a committee of advocates will propose how New Jersey can implement reparations for Black people. Here is what we know so far.

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