In a significant legal victory for California’s housing initiatives, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has unanimously upheld a lower court’s dismissal of Huntington Beach’s federal lawsuit aimed at challenging the constitutionality of state housing laws. This ruling reinforces the state’s commitment to enforcing housing regulations designed to address California’s ongoing housing crisis.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “Today, yet another court has slapped down Huntington Beach’s cynical attempt to prevent the state from enforcing our housing laws. The city’s continued efforts to promote unlawful NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) policies are failing its own citizens by squandering valuable time and taxpayer dollars that could be better spent on creating essential housing. There can be no more excuses—every city must adhere to state law and contribute to building more housing.”
Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “I am pleased that yet another court has emphatically rejected Huntington Beach’s attempt to exempt itself from state housing laws,” he stated. “While the City has been wasting public resources on this meritless lawsuit, its neighbors and every Californian struggling to find stable housing need Huntington Beach to step up and adopt a comprehensive housing plan without further delay. My office remains committed to pursuing all available remedies in our ongoing case against the City, which has already been found in violation of the state’s Housing Element Law.”
This ruling comes in the wake of California’s 2023 lawsuit against Huntington Beach, asserting that the city is not only violating state housing mandates but also impeding progress in addressing the urgent need for affordable housing across the state.
As California continues to grapple with a severe housing shortage, this decision marks a pivotal moment in the fight against local policies that hinder statewide efforts to provide adequate housing solutions. The state remains resolute in its mission to ensure that every community plays its part in alleviating California’s housing crisis.
Read more: