Local authorities in Norwalk have issued a statement against California Governor Newsom, advocating for the extension of the ban on homeless shelters in the city.
Norwalk City Council Extends Homeless Shelter Moratorium, Sparks Legal Dispute with State
In a move that could potentially lead to a legal battle, the Norwalk City Council has voted to extend the moratorium on homeless shelters and supporting housing facilities through August 2025. The decision, made during a meeting on September 18, 2022, is in direct opposition to the state's stance, which considers the moratorium unlawful.
The moratorium applies to emergency shelters, single-room occupancy, supportive housing, and transitional housing. The city council's decision was driven by the need for further study on how prohibiting such facilities would impact the community, as mentioned in previous discussions.
The new mayor of Norwalk, Harry Rilling, was present at the city council meetings. He joined Mayor Margarit Rios in urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to acknowledge the city's efforts to address homelessness and provide direct resources to support these efforts.
However, Newsom's team responded with a notice of violation letter, stating that the moratorium is "unlawful." The letter also condemned the city council's decision as "disgraceful" and a "clear violation of the law."
The state's stance is based on the Housing Crisis Act, which allows local governments to issue a housing or facility ban only when there's "an imminent threat" to public health and safety. The state argues that there are no specific findings of a threat related to the housing subject to the moratorium, nor any citywide threat.
The state has a history of bringing lawsuits against cities that implement moratoriums on housing construction, as in the cases of Anaheim and Huntington Beach. If Norwalk fails to comply, it could face the same consequences, with the state implying that it will not tolerate cities that do not comply with state housing laws and will take legal action if necessary.
The Norwalk City Council's decision to extend the moratorium is a continuation of the ongoing dispute between the city and the state over housing policies. The city council noted the power to make and enforce land use ordinances within its jurisdiction when passing the ordinance.
As the situation unfolds, both parties remain firm in their positions, with the state pushing for compliance with state housing laws and the Norwalk City Council standing by its decision to extend the moratorium. The potential legal battle between the city and the state promises to be a significant development in California's ongoing efforts to address homelessness.
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