Norwalk, a Los Angeles suburb, passed a recent moratorium on homeless shelters and temporary housing. This action is considered a violation of the state’s fair housing and anti-discrimination laws, according to a lawsuit filed by California on Monday, November 4.
The lawsuit results from what is seen as local resistance and defiance of state laws by Governor Gavin Newsom. There is a desperate need for new residences in California amid a housing crisis that has resulted in an influx of more people into the homeless population. California is the most populous state in the United States.
Norwalk Defies State and Extends Temporary Ban
Norwalk is the latest city to have the state file legal actions against it over housing policies.
Norwalk has a population of 100,000 and is about 15 miles southeast of Los Angeles. In September, the city council voted to extend a temporary ban on new homeless shelters and emergency housing.
In a recent statement, Norwalk city council members claimed the city has done its fair share to address the homeless crisis. Still, they cited public safety concerns about state programs, which included one that placed homeless people in motel rooms. In September, the moratorium blocked a plan by Los Angeles County to move homeless people into a hotel in Norwalk. The moratorium is scheduled to remain in effect until next year.
The lawsuit asks the Los Angeles County Superior Court to halt Norwalk’s law and contends that Norwalk violated half a dozen housing laws by enacting the moratorium.
On Monday, the state attorney general, Rob Bonta, said, “Our message is clear, our message is consistent. If local governments attempt to skirt state housing laws, if they refuse to do the bare minimum to address the dire lack of affordable and accessible housing in California, we will hold them accountable.”
Newsom’s Warning
Newsom publicly denounced Norwalk’s actions and urged local elected officials to reconsider the moratorium. The lawsuit then followed on Monday. This comes after a warning in September by the state of California to Norwalk that it was at risk of potential legal action.
The state also revoked the city’s housing plan, which disqualified it from receiving state funding for homeless and housing programs. According to Bonta, state officials met with the city last week to resolve the issue, but the gesture failed.
On Monday, Governor Newsom said, “The Norwalk city council’s failure to reverse this ban, despite knowing it is unlawful, is inexcusable. No community should turn its back on its residents in need.”
State and Local Governments Clash
In the last few years, California has accelerated the enforcement of state housing laws. The state sued two other cities when they rejected affordable housing projects and homes for the homeless population. Thirty-two housing bills were signed by the governor last month to simplify the process for the state to go after local cities that defy housing laws.
The conflict between California’s state and local governments over how many housing projects cities should approve and how fast to build them will most likely escalate due to the lawsuit. According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the state must create 2.5 million homes by 2030 to meet demand. An average of 100,000 homes are built annually, with only 10,000 being affordable units.
Newsom has made housing and homelessness a top priority as governor of California. To help build affordable housing, his administration has spent around $40 billion and another $27 billion on homelessness solutions. Newsom pressured local governments to clean up encampments lining streets and blocking business entrances in the summer. The governor also has threatened to withhold state funding next year if he does not see results.
