California Sues Norwalk Over Shelter Moratorium

The state says the city of Norwalk’s prohibition on new shelters and transitional and supportive housing violates anti-discrimination and fair housing laws.

1 minute read

November 5, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of Norwalk, California.

Matt Gush / Adobe Stock

The state of California is suing a Southern California city over its ban on new emergency shelters and supportive housing, reports Iman Palm for KTLA. Norwalk extended its moratorium in September in defiance of warnings from the California Department of Housing and Community Development that it would lose access to state housing and homelessness funds. 

In a September statement, Governor Newsom said, “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.” The lawsuit claims Norwalk’s ordinance violates anti-discrimination and fair housing laws, among others.

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