On 2nd Anniversary of the Housing Justice Team, Attorney General Bonta highlights the critical work of the fight for fair and affordable housing for all Californians | State of California – Department of Justice

Auckland Today, on the second anniversary of the Housing Justice Team within the California Department of Justice, California Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted the critical work done to fight for fair and affordable housing:

“Two years ago today, I launched the Housing Justice Team to advance housing access, affordability, and equality in California. Since then, our talented attorneys have achieved real results. Prosecutor Bonta said. “From protecting renters from illegal evictions to ensuring local governments allow their fair share of housing to be built, I’m so proud of what our Housing Justice Team has already accomplished. Addressing California’s housing crisis remains a top priority — and with the work we’ve done over the past two years, we’re beginning to just yet.

The Housing Justice Team, formerly known as Housing Strike Force, draws on the expertise of attorneys from the California Department of Justice’s Land Use and Conservation Division; Consumer Protection Department; Civil Rights Enforcement Division; and the Environmental Justice Office of the Department of the Environment. Among the accomplishments of the Housing Justice Team are the following:

• Securing a settlement with the City of Coronado allowing the development of 912 housing units.
• Securing a settlement with the City of San Bernardino that would allow for the development of 8,123 housing units.
• Secured a settlement against Green Valley Corporation, a San Jose-based housing developer and property manager also known as Swenson Builders, to resolve allegations that the company violated the California Tenant Protection Act by issuing illegal rent increases to approximately 20 of its tenants And serve them. Illegal eviction notices for six of those hired employees.
• Secured a $3.5 million settlement against Wedgewood, a Los Angeles County-based real estate investment trust, resolving allegations that Wedgewood illegally evicted tenants from properties purchased at foreclosure sales.
• He sued the city of Elk Grove over its failure to approve a housing proposal that would create 66 apartments for low-income families at risk of homelessness.
• He sued the city of Huntington Beach for failing to certify a compliant housing component. The housing component is a critical tool for building housing for middle-, low-, and very low-income Californians.
• Successfully defend state laws, such as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), from local governments that challenge their commitment to plan and locate more housing.
• Sponsor and support housing bills, such as Assembly Bill 1485, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law and will allow the attorney general to automatically intervene without court permission in lawsuits brought by third parties for alleged violations of state housing laws.
• Reminding local governments of the strict requirements of “expedited zoning ordinances,” and discouraging the misuse of such ordinances to limit or circumvent state housing laws.
• Issuing letters to all state housing authorities, reminding them that tenants who receive Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are protected under the California Tenant Protection Act.
• Issuing legal guidance on steps law enforcement officials must take to prevent and respond to illegal lockouts and self-help evictions.
• Reminding California tenants of their rights and protections under state law, including limits on rent increases.
• Announcing statewide guidance to address crime-free housing policies that disproportionately discriminate against people of color, domestic violence survivors, people with disabilities, and justice-involved individuals.

For more information about the Housing Justice Team and its work, as well as resources for homeowners and renters, visit www.oag.ca.gov/housing. The Housing Justice Team reminds Californians that they can submit housing-related complaints or tips to housing@doj.ca.gov. Tenants who need legal assistance can find legal assistance resources in their area at www.LawHelpCA.org.