Ninth Circuit Rules Against Huntington Beach Housing Lawsuit

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court's decision that Huntington Beach lacks standing to challenge California's affordable housing laws, specifically the mandate for the city to zone for 13,368 new housing units. City Attorney Michael Gates plans to seek an en banc ruling from the circuit's judges or potentially appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that charter cities should have more autonomy. The court's ruling was met with strong support from California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, who emphasized the need for the city to comply with state housing requirements. The ruling reaffirms that charter cities are not sovereign entities and must adhere to state law. Gates, who has faced setbacks in both federal and state courts, indicated that the city council is determined to pursue the case to the highest court if necessary. This ongoing legal battle reflects broader tensions over housing development and local governance in California.