CA's housing and homeless accountability unit unlocks 7,500+ new housing units

 

California Governor Newsom's press office released some information just now. The 7, 500 housing are for families. While Humboldt is not mentioned in the press release, the Arkley, Security National, Eureka Housing for All, Citizens for a Better Eureka, all the anon NIMBYs as well as the City of Eureka, all Humboldt County providers and agencies that get funds to house people should pay attention.

Press Release:

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Housing Accountability Unit has taken strong action against cities and counties that fail to build more housing, unlocking more than 7,500 housing units for California. Earlier this year, Governor Newsom expanded the responsibility of the unit to hold cities and counties accountable when they fail to adequately address homelessness. Earlier this week, the Housing Accountability Unit announced its first action on homelessness after issuing a notice of violation to the city of Norwalk for its unlawful moratorium on building homeless shelters or supportive housing.

Governor Newsom launched the Housing Accountability Unit in 2021 to assist cities and counties in fulfilling their legal responsibilities to plan for and permit their fair share of housing and to hold accountable those who fail to do so. In 2024 the Unit was expanded to include a focus on homelessness issues  – including compliance with state laws as they relate to homeless housing — doubling down on an aggressive strategy to help build more homes and get people into housing.

 “Whether housed or unhoused, we are all Californians bound to each other as we create a California for All,” said Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Tomiquia Moss. Thanks to the collective action of cities and counties across the state, last year California housed over 73,000 Californians experiencing homelessness – including seniors, young adults, families with young children, veterans. We need the commitment and accountability of everyone if we are to continue to make progress. It is time for all cities to say yes to essential shelter and housing and diligently uplift residents by providing the services they need to be sheltered and housed in community.”

This focus on accountability has, in part, led to a 15-year high in housing starts in California. Since its establishment, the Housing Accountability Unit has supported the development of 7,513 housing units, including 2,765 affordable units, through enforcement actions and by working with local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with housing law. 

The unit has taken 540 accountability actions to date, including filing four lawsuits.

“Our Housing Accountability Unit’s priority is to ensure the law is being followed and we are protecting the right of people to have a home,” said Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velazquez. “We’ll continue to work in partnership and assist local jurisdictions that understand this. For those that do not, and try to circumvent the law with total disregard to the detrimental impact on their communities HCD will not hesitate to use all tools at our disposal, including taking them to court, to ensure housing is being built for Californians at all income levels. With the Governor’s expansion of our responsibilities and focus, we’ll redouble our efforts to ensure accountability.”

You can read the rest at:

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/18/governor-newsoms-housing-and-homeless-accountability-unit-unlocks-7500-new-housing-units/