California City Defies Gavin Newsom With Homeless Shelter Ban

The California city of Norwalk has extended its ban on homeless shelters despite the threat of a legal action from Governor Gavin Newsom.
Following a 45-day rule issued in August that bars new permits for shelters, transitional housing and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, Norwalk authorities have opted to extend the moratorium by 10 months. California’s Department of Housing and Community Development responded with a notice of violation, and if the city doesn’t reverse its policy, it could face legal action.
The city said such facilities pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the public, and that it needs additional time to study the effects of the rule. According to the Los Angeles Almanac, there are 198 homeless people in Norwalk as of this year, up from 101 in 2023.
According to Newsom’s office, the Norwalk moratorium “violates several state planning and fair housing laws, including the Housing Crisis Act, the Anti-Discrimination in Land Use Law, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, and Housing Element Law.” City authorities have until September 23 to respond to the notice.
“It is unfathomable that as our state grapples with a homelessness crisis, Norwalk would pass an ordinance banning the building of homeless shelters,” Newsom said in a statement on September 16. “It is counterproductive and immoral for any community to throw up their hands and say they’ve done enough while they still have 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.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said: “At a time when many Californians are struggling to keep a roof over their heads or lack housing altogether, banning new emergency shelters and new supportive housing not just defies common sense—it is unlawful. Norwalk’s residents—indeed all Californians—should be outraged. If necessary, my office stands ready to take legal action against Norwalk.”
Newsweek has contacted the Norwalk City Council for comment on Newsom’s notice via email outside normal working hours.
The release issued by Newsom’s office also said Norwalk failed to meet its housing objectives as mandated by state legislation. Only 175 permits for units have been issued by the city during this housing cycle, which accounts for only 3.5 percent of its designated Regional Housing Needs Allocation of 5,034 units.
The news follows a July executive order by Newsom instructing state agencies to “urgently address homeless encampments while respecting the dignity and safety of Californians experiencing homelessness.”
“The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets,” Newsom said. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”
In 2023, there were more than 180,000 unhoused people in California, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.