1. What Led to Norwalk's Ban on Homeless Shelters?
In August, the Norwalk City Council voted to impose a 45-day moratorium on building new homeless shelters, single-room occupancy units, supportive housing, and transitional housing. This ban was extended for another 10 months and 15 days.
2. Why Did Norwalk Extend the Ban?
The City Council extended the ban despite receiving warnings from the state that it violated California housing laws. They argued that the shelters posed an imminent threat to public health and safety, although state officials rejected this contention.
3. How Did Governor Newsom Respond?
Governor Gavin Newsom warned Norwalk that the state might pursue legal action if the ban continued. He emphasized that it was cruel for the city to ban shelters while people were living on its streets and urged Norwalk to comply with state housing laws.
4. What Actions Did Newsom Take Against Norwalk?
Newsom officially declared Norwalk out of compliance with state housing requirements and cut off state funding for housing and anti-homelessness projects. This move was a direct response to Norwalk's refusal to reverse its ban on new homeless shelters.
5. What Is the Builders Remedy?
The Builders Remedy is a law that allows developers to bypass local zoning restrictions if a city is deemed non-compliant with California housing laws. This means that developers can now pursue large housing projects in Norwalk without needing local approval.
6. How Does the Builders Remedy Affect Norwalk?
As a result of the state's actions, Norwalk officials have lost their ability to stop developers from building taller and denser housing projects than what would normally be allowed under local zoning restrictions. This shift is expected to lead to increased development in affluent communities.
7. What Are Norwalk Officials Saying?
Norwalk officials have criticized the state's actions as 'bully tactics.' They argue that local control is essential in addressing homelessness and that Norwalk has made significant strides in providing shelter for its homeless population despite the lack of state funding.
8. What Are the Consequences for Norwalk?
The loss of state funding puts both residents' safety and the city's finances at risk. Norwalk has had to use its own resources to manage the fallout from abandoned state-mandated programs, which has been challenging given the city's limited budget.
9. Whats Next for Norwalk?
The situation remains contentious, with both sides continuing to argue over the best approach to addressing homelessness. The state may continue to pursue legal action if Norwalk does not comply with state housing laws, while Norwalk officials will likely continue to advocate for local control over housing decisions.
