Gov. Newsom threatens to sue Norwalk over shelter ban [Video]

The California Department of Housing and Community Development sent a notice to the city of Norwalk on Monday, threatening legal action over the city’s recent moratorium on emergency shelters and supportive and transitional housing.

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The ordinance, adopted in August, also makes it illegal to “establish, implement, [or] operate” a variety of businesses catering mainly to lower-income households, including laundromats, discount stores, payday lenders, and liquor and convenience stores. The initial 45-day moratorium will be reviewed for a 10-month extension on Tuesday.

According to HCD, the moratorium violates several state planning and fair housing laws. Additionally, the agency says Norwalk hasn’t met its state-mandated housing goals, issuing only 3.5% of the required permits during the current cycle.

“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 …