LOS ANGELES — California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit against the city of Norwalk to force it to lift its unlawful ban on homeless shelters and other forms of supportive housing. The lawsuit claims the city’s ordinance violates multiple state laws, despite repeated warnings from the state.
“The Norwalk city council’s failure to reverse this ban, despite knowing it is unlawful, is inexcusable. No community should turn its back on its residents in need,” said Governor Newsom.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized that the state would not tolerate Norwalk’s disregard for its legal obligations. “Despite receiving several warnings, the City of Norwalk has refused to repeal its unlawful ban on new supportive housing for our most vulnerable residents. Enough is enough,” Bonta stated. “Every city in California must take its duties seriously to address the homelessness crisis.”
The lawsuit follows action from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which sent Norwalk a notice of violation in September after the city imposed a moratorium on emergency shelters and transitional housing. The moratorium violates several state laws, including the Housing Crisis Act and Housing Element Law.