SACRAMENTO, Calif.—State leaders and a Sacramento County city have settled a lawsuit over the city’s 2022 rejection of a 66-unit affordable housing proposal, with the attorney general sending a stern message to other reluctant cities.
Attorney General Rob Bonta, Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Gustavo Velasquez—director of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development—announced on Sept. 4 the settlement of a state lawsuit filed against Elk Grove last year.
The settlement will require the approval of 146 units, including larger, one-bedroom units spread across two locations.
Additionally, Elk Grove has 30 days to pay the state $150,000 to cover court costs and attorney fees, and the state will closely monitor the city’s housing activities for the next five years.
“They should have approved it,” Bonta said during the press conference. “We shouldn’t be here today, and it shouldn’t have taken this long.”
He said Elk Grove was given several chances to correct its actions before the state sought punitive measures.
Bonta warned cities that are currently fighting affordable housing mandates, including Huntington Beach and Woodside, and others that might be considering doing so, that the state will take legal action.
“Our message today is, whatever city you are, you have an obligation and a duty to follow the law of the state of California,” Bonta said. “If you don’t, we will sue you, we will take you to court, and you will comply, one way or the other.”
The governor thanked Elk Grove officials for “eventually doing the right thing.” He said during the press conference that the lawsuit was necessary because the city’s actions were detrimental to people with disabilities that the housing units were meant to benefit.
![California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about the settlement of a lawsuit against Elk Grove over an affordable housing project at a press conference at the state's Department of Justice building in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 4, 2024. (Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2F05%2Fid5718774-California-Gov.-Gavin-Newsom-Elk-Grove-Presser-2024-600x450.jpeg&w=1200&q=75)
Elk Grove officials, including the mayor and City Council members, did not respond to requests for comment.
Highlighting $78 million that the city has invested in affordable housing since 2004, officials said they are proud of their leadership.
“Today’s settlement announcement underscores Elk Grove’s continued commitment to the development of all forms of affordable housing and its focus on putting resources towards its housing goals,” the statement said.
![Gustavo Velasquez, director of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development, discusses the settlement with Elk Grove at a press conference at the Department of Justice building in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 4, 2024. (Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times)](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2F05%2Fid5718773-Gustavo-Velasquez-California-Housing-Community-Development-Director-600x450.jpeg&w=1200&q=75)
The head of the state’s Housing and Community Development Department said work will continue with Elk Grove to ensure that the conditions of the settlement are fulfilled.
“This is a victory in the state’s efforts to expand the availability of much-needed supportive housing, consistent with California’s strong legacy upholding fair housing rights for people with disabilities and for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” Velasquez, the department’s director, said in the governor’s press release. “We are resolute to see that every community in our state affirmatively furthers fair housing and expands integrative communities of opportunities.”