California Construction News staff writer
An order from the San Diego Superior Court has found that the City of Huntington Beach violated California’s Housing Element Law. As a result, the court ordered the city to come into compliance within 120 days.
“From day one, my administration has been clear: local governments must be accountable for following state law and planning their fair share of housing,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “That’s what this case has been about from the start, and we will continue to focus on accountability.
“We can’t solve the decades-in-the-making crisis around housing without everyone doing their part, and this result makes clear the state is serious about enforcing the law.
The Governor’s Administration – the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) – and Attorney General Bonta filed suit against the city on March 9, 2023, after repeatedly calling for greater accountability and implementing new approaches to address the state’s need for more housing.
Newsom created the highly successful Housing Accountability Unit (HAU) within HCD to work with locals in meeting their obligations and hold jurisdictions accountable for their fair share of housing.
HAU has helped create more than 23,000 units of housing that otherwise may not have been built.
“Huntington Beach is not above the law — that’s the essence of today’s ruling. Local governments up and down our state should take notice,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We are facing a housing crisis of epic proportions, and my office will continue to act with great urgency, working with cities and counties that genuinely want to be part of the solution and holding accountable those that do not.”
