Housing Advocates Sue Santa Clara County and Several Cities

Housing advocates have filed a rash of lawsuits against Santa Clara County and several Bay Area cities for allegedly failing to do their part to encourage new housing.

The 12 lawsuits were filed by Californians for Homeownership, California Housing Defense Fund, and YIMBY Law. The plaintiffs note Santa Clara County failed to submit a housing plan by Jan. 31, as required. Lawsuits were also filed against the cities of Belvedere, Burlingame, Cupertino, Daly City, Fairfax, Martinez, Novato, Palo Alto, Pinole, Pleasant Hill and Richmond.

Santa Clara County has not publicly addressed the lawsuit, but County Executive Jeff Smith gave the following statement to San José Spotlight:  

“Regarding the provision of affordable housing, this county has invested over $1 billion in the provision of permanent affordable housing for our residents. We have been a leader in efforts to house the homeless.”

Cupertino spokesperson Esther Kwon told the publication that “there have been many significant, ongoing and complicated changes in state law related to housing, and the housing element update process in particular, which Cupertino has actively been working through.” She added that “throughout the process, the city has been communicating and coordinating with (state) staff and is committed to completing the housing element update as soon as possible.”