Gov. Newsom Comes To LA To Talk Affordable Housing

LONG BEACH, CA – Gov. Gavin Newsom will visit Long Beach City College Tuesday to highlight how the state government is partnering with cities and counties to address the housing cost crisis.

Newsom will host what he described in his State of the State address as "a candid conversation" at LBCC with mayors of cities whose housing plans are out of compliance with state law.

Newsom will address the mayors' specific questions and concerns, an aide said. Newsom will be joined at the meeting by top staff from the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency and the Department of Housing and Community Development to assist the mayors.

Newsom included $250 million in his proposed state budget for cities and counties to update their housing plans and revamp their zoning process and an additional $500 million in grants when they achieve those milestones.

"If we want a California for All, we have to build housing for all," Newsom said last week in his State of the State address. "I want to support local governments that do what's right, like Anaheim and Santa Rosa. But there must be accountability for those that don't."

The state sued Huntington Beach last month, accusing it of blocking the production of affordable housing.

Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said the city has been "complying with all applicable state housing and zoning laws and has been, and will continue to, work with the California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding meeting the city's Regional Housing Needs Assessment."

Huntington Beach was the first city to be sued because of a statute of limitations, Newsom said in the State of the State address.

"There are 47 other cities across California that are not complying with their planning requirements in one way or another," Newsom said.

Before the meeting, Newsom will join Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia in touring the Century Villages at Cabrillo, described by an aide as a 27-acre supportive housing community that provides temporary, transitional and permanent affordable housing for veterans, families, youth and children.

City News Service contributed to this post; LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 06: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom speaks during election night event on November 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom defeated Republican Gubernatorial candidate John Cox. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)