Submitted By Randal South – April 12, 2022

Four California cities, (Redondo Beach, Carson City, Torrance and Whittier) have filed a lawsuit to block the implementation of Senate Bill 9.

SB9, which took effect Jan. 1, 2022, makes it easier for property owners to split lots, convert homes to duplexes or build second units on their property — allowing up to four units on lots that had one before.

The four cities brought this action to uphold the California Constitution and prevent the State of California from usurping a charter city’s land use authority, which is a uniquely municipal affair.
 

 California State Auditor releases scathing report on RHNA process.  Report finds housing goals are not supported by evidence. On March 17, Michael S. Tilden, the Acting California State Auditor, issued a blistering critique of the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and its Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA).

 The Auditor found problems in the HCD methodology that may have inflated RHNA requirements by hundreds of thousands of housing units. The Auditor concludes that “The Department of Housing and Community Development must improve its processes to ensure that communities can adequately plan for housing.”

In his letter to the Governor and legislative leaders, the Auditor also states, “Overall, our audit determined that HCD does not ensure that its needs assessments are accurate and adequately supported…This insufficient oversight and lack of support for its considerations risks eroding public confidence that HCD is informing local governments of the appropriate amount of housing they will need.”                   
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