Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom have successfully secured an order from the San Diego Superior Court, which found that the City of Huntington Beach violated California’s Housing Element Law. The court has mandated the city to comply with the law within 120 days. The suit against the city was filed on March 9, 2023, by Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom, in collaboration with Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

"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 Rob 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."

Governor Gavin Newsom echoed these sentiments, stating: "From day one, my administration has been clear: local governments must be accountable for following state law and planning for their fair share of housing. 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."

Attorney General Bonta has consistently advocated for affordable housing in California since taking office. On November 3, 2021, he announced the formation of a Housing Justice Team within the California Department of Justice aimed at promoting housing access across the state. He recently announced a settlement with Malibu city that will help it comply with state’s Housing Element Law.

Furthermore, he visited an affordable housing development in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood and sponsored bills authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). These bills aim to encourage local governments to update their housing plans, facilitate housing permit approvals in cities and counties that fail to do so, and enhance the Attorney General’s ability to seek civil penalties against local governments that violate certain state housing laws.

A copy of the court's order can be found here.