California Sues Norwalk Over Homeless Shelter Ban

Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit against Norwalk for its moratorium on new homeless shelters, which the state deems unlawful. In August, Norwalk enacted a 45-day ban on emergency shelters and supportive housing, citing public safety concerns while attempting to update its zoning code. Despite warnings from state officials about violations of the Housing Crisis Act and other state laws, the City Council extended the moratorium for an additional 10 months. This decision resulted in Norwalk being cut off from state housing and homelessness funds, with Newsom stating that the city has failed to meet housing goals, permitting only 3.5% of assigned housing units. Norwalk officials argue their local efforts have been significant, including opening affordable housing for veterans and funding engagement teams, but have not received adequate state support. The lawsuit represents a critical clash between state mandates for housing and local governance in addressing homelessness.