The state of California initiated legal proceedings against the city of Norwalk on Monday, charging that the local government’s recent moratorium on the establishment of homeless shelters and temporary housing violates established state fair housing and anti-discrimination statutes.
The lawsuit reflects Governor Gavin Newsom’s persistent endeavor to challenge local governments that he perceives as obstructing state mandates amid California’s urgent need for expanding housing options. This housing crisis has been a significant contributor to the skyrocketing homeless population in the nation’s most densely populated state.
Norwalk, a suburban community home to approximately 100,000 residents located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southeast of downtown Los Angeles, has now emerged as the latest jurisdiction facing legal scrutiny due to its housing policy decisions. This situation follows a September vote by the city council to prolong its temporary prohibition on new homeless shelters and emergency accommodation initiatives.
The legal action, submitted to the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, contends that Norwalk contravened multiple housing regulations by instituting such a moratorium. The plaintiff is seeking a judicial order to nullify the city’s prohibitive measure.
“Our message is clear, our message is consistent,” voiced State Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday. “Should local officials attempt to evade state housing legislation or neglect their responsibility to tackle the severe shortage of affordable housing in California, we will take necessary actions to ensure accountability.”
Monday’s filing coincides with Governor Newsom’s public condemnation of Norwalk’s policy and his call for local leaders to reconsider this stance. The state had previously alerted the city about potential legal repercussions and, last month, rescinded its housing plan, effectively prohibiting it from accessing state resources for homeless support and housing development. Bonta noted that state representatives had attempted discussions with the city just last week but were unsuccessful.
“The Norwalk city council’s failure to reverse this ban, despite knowing it is unlawful, is inexcusable,” Newsom remarked in a statement on Monday. “No community should turn its back on its residents in need.”
California has significantly intensified its enforcement of state housing laws in recent years. The administration initiated lawsuits against at least two other cities last year for rejecting affordable housing initiatives aimed at benefiting the homeless population. Last month, Newsom signed legislation comprising 32 housing bills designed to enhance the state’s authority to confront municipalities that defy housing provisions.
This lawsuit is poised to heighten existing tensions between state authorities and local governments regarding the pace and quantity of housing developments municipalities are obliged to approve and construct. According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the state must generate 2.5 million new homes by 2030 to satisfy burgeoning demand, yet the current average stands at about 100,000 newly constructed homes annually, with merely 10,000 of those being affordable units.
As a Democratic governor with aspirations for broader national influence, Newsom has prioritized addressing housing shortages and homelessness during his tenure. His administration has allocated approximately $40 billion for the development of affordable housing and about $27 billion toward solutions for homelessness. Earlier this summer, he began urging local governments to initiate clean-ups of encampments that have proliferated on city streets and obstructed access to local businesses, even threatening to cut state funding next year if tangible improvements are not realized.
**Interview with California Attorney General Rob Bonta on the Lawsuit against Norwalk Over Homelessness Policy**
**Interviewer: Good afternoon, Attorney General Bonta. Thank you for joining us today. Can you explain the reasoning behind the lawsuit against the city of Norwalk regarding their recent ban on new homeless shelters?**
**Rob Bonta:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The rationale behind this lawsuit is straightforward: Norwalk’s moratorium on new homeless shelters and emergency accommodations violates state fair housing and anti-discrimination laws. California is facing a severe housing crisis, and actions that impede the development of necessary housing solutions only exacerbate the problem. We believe that local governments have a responsibility to adhere to state regulations designed to promote fair housing access for all residents.
**Interviewer: What prompted this legal action now, following the city council’s vote to prolong the moratorium?**
**Rob Bonta:** The recent vote by the Norwalk city council to extend its moratorium on shelters is part of a pattern that we cannot ignore. Our office had previously communicated with local officials about the repercussions of such decisions. After our discussions last week proved fruitless, we felt it was essential to act decisively. This lawsuit seeks not just to challenge their policy but to underscore the urgency of the situation in California, where thousands of individuals are experiencing homelessness.
**Interviewer: Governor Newsom has been vocal about this issue as well. What support has the state provided to local governments struggling with homelessness, and how does Norwalk’s situation fit into that context?**
**Rob Bonta:** Governor Newsom has consistently advocated for increased housing options and support for local governments. In fact, the state has provided significant funding and resources aimed at developing affordable housing and tackling homelessness. However, this support is contingent on local governments complying with state laws. In Norwalk’s case, their decision to ban shelters essentially cuts off access to these resources, which is a step backward in our collective efforts.
**Interviewer: What do you hope to achieve with this lawsuit, and how can cities like Norwalk better align with state goals?**
**Rob Bonta:** Our primary goal with this lawsuit is to terminate the city’s prohibitive measures and ensure that Norwalk adheres to state housing laws. We hope that this legal action will serve as a wake-up call to not just Norwalk but to other local governments across California to prioritize housing solutions. It’s important for cities to engage with the state and develop cooperative strategies that address housing needs. We must work together to create an environment where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
**Interviewer: Thank you, Attorney General Bonta, for your insights and for addressing this pressing issue.**
**Rob Bonta:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we keep this conversation going as we seek to create a more equitable housing landscape in California.
