California’s state government has filed a lawsuit against the City of Norwalk, claiming it enacted an unlawful ban on new housing that prevents the creation of emergency shelters, single-room occupancy housing, transitional housing, and supportive housing.
The five-member Norwalk City Council passed an urgency zoning ordinance in August that imposed a 45-day ban, or moratorium, on new supportive housing. The following month, the ban was extended for an additional 10 months and 15 days. Last month, the state Department of Housing and Community Development revoked Norwalk’s ability to receive state housing and homelessness funds unless the ban was lifted, but no repeal has occurred.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleged the city violated numerous state laws with the ban, which it seeks to have repealed. The lawsuit also asked the court to impose other remedies afforded under state law including the temporary suspension of the city’s nonresidential permitting authority and prohibiting the city from denying qualifying affordable housing projects.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta declared the lawsuit “should come as no surprise,” adding, “Every city and county in California has a legal obligation to help solve our homelessness crisis. We have not, and will not hesitate, to ensure that everyone with the power to approve or disapprove housing takes their duties seriously.”
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