Citywide, Norwalk, CA
On August 6, 2024 the Norwalk City Council unanimously adopted an urgency ordinance banning new emergency shelters, supportive housing, single-room occupancy housing and transitional housing citywide for 45 days, along with some types of businesses. City officials later tied the ban to Los Angeles County's Pathway Home interim housing at the former Saddleback Inn, 12500 Firestone Boulevard, and a planned mental health village at Metropolitan State Hospital, saying the county acted without consulting the city. HCD sent a notice of violation on September 16, 2024, and the next day the council unanimously extended the ban for 10 months and 15 days. The city stayed enforcement after an October 1 closed session. HCD revoked Norwalk's housing element compliance on October 2, 2024, cutting off key state funds and exposing the city to the builder's remedy, and on November 4, 2024 the Attorney General and HCD sued. On February 19, 2025 Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant refused to dismiss the case, finding that the pause had not resolved the dispute. The council removed the housing uses from the moratorium on August 5, 2025, and on September 5 the court entered a stipulated judgment requiring the city to repeal the ban, put $250,000 into a new housing trust fund, complete overdue housing element programs, make fair-housing findings for any denial and report to HCD quarterly through 2029. HCD restored the city's compliance, with conditions, on September 19, 2025. No court ruled on the merits, and no fine was reported. Los Angeles County broke ground on the Metropolitan State Hospital campus, with 162 beds including 60 supportive apartments, in March 2026. The entry has no unit count because the ban was citywide rather than aimed at one application.
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Judge Samantha Jessner's temporary restraining order lets the county use Hotel Saddleback, 12500 Firestone Boulevard (month only).
LamplighterThe five-member council votes unanimously.
California Attorney GeneralThe unanimous 10-month, 15-day extension follows HCD's Sept. 16 notice of violation.
California Attorney GeneralNorwalk loses eligibility for key state funds and protection from the builder's remedy.
Office of the GovernorThe Attorney General and HCD file in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The Downey PatriotJudge James C. Chalfant says the temporary pause did not resolve the dispute.
The Downey PatriotOrdinance 25-1758U passes unanimously, with one member absent.
The Downey PatriotThe stipulated final judgment also requires quarterly reports to HCD through 2029.
California Attorney GeneralConditioned on an amended housing element and six programs by the end of 2025.
HCDThe campus will have 162 beds, including 60 supportive apartments; interim housing is expected in late 2027 (month only).
Hoodline"Regrettably, our warnings went unheeded, and we were forced to take legal action."
Director Gustavo Velasquez: "Instead of working to correct their missteps, they dug in their heels and are now ineligible for key funding and subject to the builder's remedy."
Said the county is "locking arms with the state" to reuse buildings that "are doing no one any good sitting empty."
On the repeal: "Norwalk is opening the door to housing that works."
"The Norwalk City Council's failure to reverse this ban without a lawsuit, despite knowing it is unlawful, is inexcusable."
"As local leaders, we know best what our population looks like here, including those that are suffering."
City statement: "The original moratorium followed Los Angeles County's decision to launch a transitional housing program at 12500 Firestone Boulevard without City consultation"
Said the county's projects came "without any detailed discussion with the city."
"No facts or evidence supported the City's conclusion that the existence of Shelter and Supportive Housing poses an immediate threat to public health, safety, and welfare."
An urgency moratorium under Gov. Code 65858 banned new emergency shelters, supportive, single-room occupancy and transitional housing citywide. Enforcement was stayed on Oct. 1, 2024, and the housing uses were dropped on Aug. 5, 2025 under a settlement with the state.
Each row is a dated action by a deciding body, taken from the minutes, agenda packet, video, or ruling linked in the source column.
| Date | Body | Action | Vote | Staff recommendation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 4, 2024 | Court | lawsuit filed People ex rel. Bonta and HCD v. City of Norwalk (24STCP03551), Los Angeles County Superior Court. | — | Unknown | The Downey Patriot |
| September 5, 2025 | Court | ruling issued Stipulated final judgment entered: repeal of the ban, a $250,000 housing trust fund deposit and reporting to HCD through 2029. | — | Unknown | California Attorney General |