Newsom threatens ‘legal action’ against the city of Norwalk over homeless shelter ban

Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday threatened a possible lawsuit against the city of Norwalk if a recently adopted moratorium on emergency shelters for the homeless as well as single room occupancy and transitional housing isn’t reversed.

The Norwalk City Council adopted the urgency ordinance on Aug. 6, which put a moratorium on various establishments, including emergency shelters, along with transitional and supportive housing.

“It is unfathomable that as our state grapples with a homelessness crisis, Norwalk would pass an ordinance banning the building of homeless shelters,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “It is counterproductive and immoral for any community to throw up their hands and say they’ve done enough while still having people in need. We can’t leave people in dangerous and unsanitary encampments — the city of Norwalk needs to do its part to provide people with shelter and services.”

The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development sent city officials a “ Notice of Violation and Corrective Action Letter ” regarding the ordinance on Monday.

“The Notice of Violation warns that if Norwalk does not reverse course, HCD may refer the matter to the Attorney General’s Office for litigation and may revoke housing element compliance. HCD found the housing element in compliance in November 2023. Norwalk has until Sept. 23 to respond,” a news release said.

KTLA reached out to the city of Norwalk about the letter but didn’t hear back in time for publication.

In July, Newsom signed an executive order, which among other things, allowed state and local officials to dismantle homeless encampments.

The executive order was issued in response to a Supreme Court decision in late June that granted officials authority to remove the encampments and ticket people for camping in public in Grants Pass, Oregon. While some city leaders applauded the executive order, others, like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, called the decision “unfortunate.”

The city of Norwalk will consider extending the moratorium for 10 months and 15 days on Tuesday.

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