Huntington Beach seeks U.S. Supreme Court review of housing mandate lawsuit

Huntington Beach's ongoing legal battle to avoid complying with California's state housing mandates suffered another setback after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit refused to rehear the city's lawsuit challenging the requirement to create an official housing plan. The city, which argues that state housing requirements violate its rights as a charter city, is now considering petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court as its next step. Both federal and state courts have repeatedly ruled against Huntington Beach, with a district court and a state judge ordering the city to adopt a compliant housing plan. State officials, including Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom, have welcomed the court decisions, emphasizing that all California cities must contribute to alleviating the housing shortage. Newsom criticized Huntington Beach's continued legal resistance, calling it a waste of taxpayer money. The city’s persistent appeals underscore the broader tension between local and state control over housing policy in California.