What you need to know: California is suing five cities for repeatedly refusing to plan for their fair share of housing, the latest move in Governor Newsom’s push to hold local governments accountable for the state’s housing shortage.
July 17, 2026 – OAKLAND – Moving to hold five California cities accountable for refusing to comply with state law requiring them to plan for their
share of the state’s housing needs, Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday escalated the crackdown on local governments standing in the way of new housing.
California can’t solve the housing crisis while some cities sit on their hands and dare us to do something about it. These five jurisdictions had every chance to follow the law and plan for their fair share of housing. They chose not to, so now they’ll answer for it in court. Housing law applies statewide, and no city gets a pass…