California is suing five cities for repeatedly failing to plan for their share of housing, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced.
KTLA reported that Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) filed lawsuits against Calexico, Costa Mesa, Half Moon Bay, Ridgecrest, and Turlock. The suits accuse each city of violating California’s Housing Element Law.
The station reported that under state law, every city and county must update its housing plan every eight years to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation, or its share of the regional and statewide housing needs.
“California can’t solve the housing crisis while some cities sit on their hands and dare us to do something about it,” Newsom said in a statement. “These five jurisdictions had every chance to follow the law and plan for their fair share of housing. They chose not to, so now they’ll answer for it in court.”
30 Days to Respond
According to the Banta’s office, HCD issued notices of violation, provided written findings, offered meetings and gave each jurisdiction 30 days to respond before referring the cases for enforcement.
The state said that more than 95% of California communities have reached compliance in the current housing cycle.
Newsom’s announcement comes after a decision in December by the California Supreme Court to decline Huntington Beach’s appeal of a ruling requiring the city to adopt a compliant housing plan, despite its status as a charter city.
A Superior Court judge in May ordered Huntington Beach to pay $160,000 in penalties, with fines increasing to $50,000 per month until it adopts a legally compliant housing element.
“California’s housing crisis demands action, not excuses,” Bonta said in a statement. “Jurisdictions that remain out of compliance with our Housing Element Law are standing in the way of the homes Californians need. We are well past the halfway point of the current housing planning cycle, and timely compliance is not optional.”
Cities Make Statements
KTLA noted that the city of Calexico provided it with a statement:
“The City has made substantial progress in revising its Housing Element and is actively incorporating HCD’s feedback into the updated draft. Through ongoing coordination with HCD, the City is refining its housing programs, policies and site‑inventory analysis to support housing production and meet long‑term community needs,” a city representative said in an email.
“The City of Calexico anticipates submitting a revised Housing Element to HCD in the near future for further review and consideration.”
Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens this statement to KTLA:
“We are surprised and disappointed that the state filed such a needless lawsuit. We have been working on addressing the housing crisis for years with some notable progress. In fact, the State’s complaint admits that we are currently working with HCD toward certification of our housing element. Indeed, we are currently waiting for the state’s comments to our most recent submission. There is no reason for a lawsuit.”
The city of Ridgecrest provided this statement to KTLA:
“The City has been made aware of the Attorney General’s press conference and the released documents, which include an unfiled Petition for a Writ of Mandate related to the City’s adoption of the Housing Element. At this time, the City of Ridgecrest has not been served with any legal action by the State of California. The City continues to work collaboratively with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to address the remaining Housing Element requirements. HCD is in position of the most current draft submitted by the City. The City expects to receive Housing Element certification in the near future.”
Here is the statement from the city of Turlock to KTLA:
“The City remains focused on achieving compliance with California Housing Element Law by adopting a Housing Element that meets state requirements while supporting the long-term needs of the Turlock community,” the statement said in part. “Over the past several months, City staff have made significant progress in advancing the Housing Element through the State review process. HCD’s most recent review confirmed that the City’s revised Housing Element addresses the statutory requirements identified in the Department’s previous review.”
And, the city of Half Moon Bay made this statement to KTLA.
“The City has been working towards completion of the Cycle 6 Housing Element since 2022, and actively working with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) over the past several months to complete the remaining steps necessary to achieve compliance with State housing law,” the statement said in part. “In February 2026, HCD determined that the City’s Housing Element meets statutory requirements, with the remaining work focused on required zoning updates to reach full compliance.”
Sending a Message
Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez said the actions offer the cities a message.
“The vast majority of California’s cities and counties have stepped up to achieve housing element compliance,” said Velasquez. “For the small number that are still falling short, the actions we are taking today should send a clear message: no community is exempt from doing its part to solve our housing crisis. Alongside Attorney General Bonta, Governor Newsom and HCD will continue to hold local governments accountable for complying with state law.”
