RWG Successfully Defends La Habra’s Housing Element
The City of La Habra followed State law in adopting the Housing Element of its General Plan, an Orange County judge ruled last week. RWG lawyers defended the Housing Element, which was certified as substantially compliant with State law by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”). Orange County Superior Court Judge Donald F. Gaffney denied a petition brought by “Californians for Homeownership” (“CFH”) challenging the Housing Element.
The La Habra City Council adopted the Housing Element in September 2022, following an extensive public hearing process. As part of this approval, the City Council expressly authorized the City Manager and staff to work with HCD to make technical revisions necessary to meet the State’s requirements. Following technical refinements, HCD certified the document in April 2023. Since certification by HCD, La Habra has worked to implement the Housing Element, which identifies ample available sites for residential development. CFH challenged the Housing Element, arguing that the City should have held another public hearing on the technical refinements. Following a hearing, Judge Gaffney ruled that La Habra followed the procedural requirements of State law and upheld the Housing Element.
RWG attorneys Ginetta Giovinco and Sose Tezyan represented La Habra in the litigation.
