Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez have responded to La Cañada Flintridge's decision to dismiss its appeal over a mixed-use affordable housing project. This project includes 80 mixed-income residential units, 14 hotel units, and office space in the community.

Attorney General Rob Bonta commented, "Subject to court approval, our legal battle against La Cañada Flintridge has come to an end for now. It should not have taken them this long to follow the law." He emphasized the state's need for affordable housing and stated that all cities must contribute without exception. "If La Cañada Flintridge tries to illegally delay this project any further, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable once again," he added.

HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez expressed satisfaction with the city's decision: "We are pleased to hear that La Cañada Flintridge leaders made the right choice to end these costly legal delays." He highlighted the importance of new housing for neighbors displaced by fire.

The case began when Attorney General Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and HCD Director Velasquez sought intervention in a lawsuit originally filed by the California Housing Defense Fund. The aim was to uphold state housing laws after La Cañada Flintridge's denial of the project. In March 2024, a Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled against the city’s denial. Despite an appeal from the city, Attorney General Bonta supported project applicants under the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) in securing a bond during appeals. He noted that "[l]engthy litigation, even if it is meritless, can result in the cancelation of a housing development due to inflation, changing interest rates, carrying costs, and expiring affordability funding."

On February 28, 2025, the court ordered La Cañada Flintridge either post a $14 million bond or dismiss its appeal within thirty days. Subsequently, the city council voted for dismissal.

A copy of the city's dismissal is available online.