Nonprofit Group Takes Legal Action Against Los Angeles for Housing Development Commitments

Californians for Homeownership Files Lawsuit Against Los Angeles

In a landmark move to combat the ongoing housing crisis in California, the nonprofit organization Californians for Homeownership, backed by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.), has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles. The lawsuit targets the city's alleged failure to comply with state zoning laws designed to facilitate new housing development amidst increasing demand.

C.A.R. President Heather Ozur emphasized the significance of the lawsuit, stating, "State law mandates that every city and county contributes to addressing California's housing crisis by adjusting land-use policies to allow for additional housing development." This legal action aims to ensure that these laws are not only well-crafted but also enforced effectively.

The lawsuit was filed in conjunction with YIMBY Law, another nonprofit that advocates for housing development. The claim asserts that Los Angeles has neglected commitments made in its state-mandated housing plan established in 2022. Initially, the city recognized the need to rezone land to construct over 250,000 new housing units, including 130,000 units tagged as affordable for lower-income households. However, as of the state-imposed deadline of February 12, 2025, the city has managed to update only two of the proposed sixteen community plans necessary for advancing this development.

Matthew Gelfand, the in-house litigator for Californians for Homeownership, remarked, "The City of Los Angeles has pulled a bait-and-switch on the residents, advocates, and state regulators that supported its high-quality housing plans." He criticized the city for abandoning its strong commitment to revise zoning rules across the board, which disabled the potential for new housing solutions desperately needed in the city.

The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is a critical system that aids California's cities and counties in planning for adequate housing resources to meet both statewide and local needs. The process implicates collaboration between state and local governments for assessing regional housing requirements. Each set jurisdiction is then tasked with developing a 'housing element' within its general plan that identifies potential sites for future housing development, aiming to meet its assigned RHNA allocation. Failure to identify adequate sites necessitates the alteration of zoning regulations to permit increased housing development.

Over the last three years, the enforcement of these housing laws has emerged as a priority for Californians for Homeownership, which has pursued over 20 lawsuits against various local agencies. While prior lawsuits primarily contested the contents of an agency's housing element, recent legal efforts have shifted focus towards ensuring that cities stick to their commitments outlined within these housing elements. This current lawsuit requests a court order compelling Los Angeles to finalize its rezoning process within 60 days.

Interestingly, Californians for Homeownership has previously secured similar relief from other local authorities, including successful court orders against the City of La Cañada Flintridge and the City of Hawaiian Gardens. La Cañada Flintridge faced a setback in late 2024 when it lost its attempt to overturn a court directive tied to similar zoning commitments.

The ongoing case—Californians for Homeownership and Yes In My Back Yard v. City of Los Angeles—has been filed under the Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 25STCP00546. Interested parties can obtain case documents upon request.

Californians for Homeownership, established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® aims to leverage legal mechanisms to advance housing availability statewide. The organization advocates for an active and accountable approach to housing laws, challenging the often lax compliance behavior exhibited by many local governments. For further information or to support the cause, potential donors can visit caforhomes.org for tax-deductible contributions.

In summary, this legal challenge against the City of Los Angeles represents a critical step towards enforcing housing development promises and addressing the ever-growing demand for affordable housing in California.