Gov. Newsom Issues Final Warning To SMC City Over Housing

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom issued a final warning Wednesday to over a dozen communities for failure to provide housing for those of all income levels, including one San Mateo County town.

On Wednesday, the California Department of Housing and Community Development has delivered final warnings, on behalf of Governor Newsom, to 15 cities and counties, including Half Moon Bay.

These jurisdictions face action because they have not complied with state housing law, specifically failing to plan for adequate housing across all income levels. The warnings highlight that these local governments are more than 60 days away from obtaining a certified housing element.

“I’m disappointed on behalf of the state and the people of California that after years of effort, we still have communities that aren’t meeting the needs of their residents,” Newsom said. “There’s no carve-out here. No community gets a pass when it comes to addressing homelessness or creating more housing access."

A Notice of Violation was issued to the following 15 communities:

• Half Moon Bay
• Atwater
• Avenal
• California City
• Corcoran
• Escalon
• Hanford
• Kings County
• Lemoore
• Merced County
• Montclair
• Oakdale
• Patterson
• Ridgecrest
• Turlock

Half Moon Bay and the 14 other jurisdictions now have a 30-day window to respond to the Notice of Violation. If they fail to do so, HCD may take further action, potentially including legal proceedings initiated by Attorney General Rob Bonta's office.

California law requires every community to create a housing element. They have to get this plan approved by HCD. Newsom’s office stated that 92 percent of California communities are currently in compliance.

"We’ll keep pushing forward by enforcing the law, fighting NIMBY actions, and holding local governments accountable, because every Californian deserves a place to call home,” Newsom said.

This latest move targets the final 15 cities and counties that haven't adopted their plan yet, a small group compared to the 480 jurisdictions already in compliance.