Attorney General Bonta: We Will Hold Encinitas Accountable for State Housing Law Violations if City Fails to Take Corrective Action

Housing Strike Force ramps up enforcement efforts as families continue to struggle with high cost of housing 

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that he is prepared to hold the City of Encinitas accountable for its denial of a permit for the Encinitas Boulevard Apartments if the city fails to take corrective action to approve a modified version of the project. By denying the permit, Encinitas prevented the development of housing (including affordable units) in the highly resourced community of Olivenhain, thwarting state housing goals and efforts to increase housing affordability and accessibility in Encinitas where the median home price is $1.67 million, more than double the median price statewide. Today's letter is part of an ongoing effort by the California Department of Justice's Housing Strike Force to address the state's housing shortage and affordability crisis and alleviate its effects on California families. 

"While we’re pleased the City may have the opportunity to take corrective action by approving a modified version of the Encinitas Boulevard Apartments project, it shouldn't take the threat of legal action to induce compliance with the law," said Attorney General Bonta. "As we work to tackle California's housing crisis, we need local governments to act as partners to increase the housing supply, not throw up roadblocks. Our Housing Strike Force is working to hold those who break our housing laws accountable in order to help California families wrestling with the high cost of housing, and we're in this fight for the long haul.” 

On November 10, 2021, the City of Encinitas blocked the development of a 277-unit housing project in a wealthy suburban neighborhood that had previously been identified as suitable for the development of lower-income housing and zoned accordingly. The proposed project would have included 41 units set aside for lower-income families and should have been approved under state housing laws that restrict local governments' ability to deny permits for such projects.

In today's letter, Attorney General Bonta alleges that Encinitas' decision to deny a permit to develop the Encinitas Boulevard Apartments violated the Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act, and its state law obligation to affirmatively further fair housing. Separately, the California Department of Housing and Community Development sent a letter to Encinitas relating to Housing Element compliance. 

The Attorney General has been informed that the developer plans to submit a revised project proposal for approval by the City, which our office understands includes a greater number of affordable units than the original proposal. If the project application reflects this understanding and the City fails to approve this project, Attorney General Bonta will promptly act to hold the City accountable. 

In November, Attorney General Bonta announced the creation of a Housing Strike Force within the California Department of Justice and launched a Housing Portal on DOJ’s website with resources and information for California homeowners and tenants. The Housing Strike Force is actively monitoring compliance with state housing laws, and recently sent letters notifying Woodside and Pasadena of violation of SB 9. The Housing Strike Force also secured a $3.5 million judgment against Wedgewood that resolved allegations that the company was unlawfully evicting tenants from properties purchased at foreclosure sales. The Housing Strike Force encourages Californians to send complaints or tips related to housing to housing@doj.ca.gov. Information on legal aid in your area is available at https://lawhelpca.org. 

A copy of the letter can be found here.