State Sues SoCal City Over Its Moratorium on Homeless Shelters and Low-Income Housing

In a long-expected move, California has sued the City of Norwalk over a ban on homeless shelters and other types of low-income housing.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom participates in an encampment cleanup in Los Angeles County through the state’s Clean California initiative on Aug. 8, 2024. Courtesy of Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

A Los Angeles County city was sued by the state of California on Nov. 4 over its emergency ordinance banning new homeless shelters, other types of low-income housing, and even certain businesses such as liquor stores, car washes, and payday lenders.

Norwalk, like all cities and counties in California, must supply affordable housing and work to alleviate the homelessness crisis under the state’s Housing Element Law.