Norwalk Agrees to Repeal Homeless Shelter Ban in State Settlement

The city of Norwalk has agreed to repeal its ban on homeless shelters and supportive housing projects following a lawsuit filed by California, which alleged the ban violated state housing laws. The settlement, awaiting court approval, includes establishing a $250,000 trust fund for affordable housing and increased state monitoring to ensure compliance. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Norwalk’s city council for failing to reverse the ban voluntarily, emphasizing that no community should turn its back on residents in need amid the homelessness crisis. Attorney General Rob Bonta reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enforcing housing laws and warned other cities against similar bans. The lawsuit and subsequent settlement highlight the state’s broader efforts, including the creation of the SAFE Task Force, to address homelessness through legal action and coordinated encampment clearance. Norwalk’s housing element was decertified last year, making it ineligible for certain state housing funds, underscoring the consequences of noncompliance.