Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have announced a settlement with the City of La Habra Heights to ensure compliance with California state housing laws. The agreement requires the city to submit a compliant housing plan that includes 244 units, with at least 164 designated as affordable for low or very-low-income households.

Governor Newsom stated, "No more excuses — every community has a responsibility to create housing and to help reduce homelessness. I am pleased that La Habra Heights has come to the table and agreed to meet their housing goals for a community that desperately needs more affordable homes."

Attorney General Bonta added, “The City of La Habra Heights has done the right thing. Instead of continuing to skirt California’s housing laws, it will finally be complying with its legal obligation to plan for 244 housing units.” He emphasized his office's commitment by saying, “My office will not let up: no matter the size of the city or county, we will not rest until every local government in California plans for the future and does its part to tackle our housing crisis.”

La Habra Heights is recognized as a high opportunity area due to its access to good schools, lower pollution levels, and job opportunities. However, currently only single-family homes exist in the city without any multifamily or affordable units. The deadline for adopting a compliant housing element was October 2021.

Despite repeated efforts from the Housing Accountability Unit established by Governor Newsom in 2021, which issued a Notice of Violation on March 19, 2024, compliance was not achieved until this recent settlement was reached through collaboration between HCD and the Attorney General’s Office.

Until La Habra Heights fulfills its obligations under this agreement, it remains subject to "Builder’s Remedy" provisions and cannot refuse certain affordable projects while being ineligible for specific state funds related to housing and homelessness.

HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez commented on this development stating: “This latest agreement is a key example of why it is so important that every city big or small is held accountable for doing its fair share.” When compliant elements are adopted by cities like La Habra Heights they create pathways toward opportunities within high-resource communities expanding access across socio-economic lines fostering inclusivity statewide.

Since taking office Governor Newsom invested $40 billion into production alongside over $27 billion aiding homeless community issues establishing initiatives such as Housing Accountability Units leading significant increases across fifteen-year highs within Californian starts surpassing previous records encouraging further progressions forward achieving set targets outlined comprehensively including those underlined hereinabove aimed resolutely against lingering crises remaining prevalent amidst broader contexts locally nationwide equally applicable thus far realized thoroughly encompassed together successfully ultimately accomplished conclusively altogether overall.