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(Los Angeles, CA) – On July 14, 2022, Judge Chalfant of the Los Angeles Superior Court issued a judgment ruling against the City of Huntington Park for its failure to ensure adequate and affordable housing, environmental justice elements, and for maintaining invalid zoning code provisions. These actions are a violation to various fair housing laws and creates barriers to housing for people with disabilities and the unhoused. This marks the first time a city is being held accountable in court for failure to have an adequate environmental justice element.

The City must now develop housing and environmental justice plans that comply with the law and update its zoning code. In the meantime, the City is not allowed to issue any zoning changes or subdivision map approvals (except to facilitate affordable housing or emergency shelters) until it comes into compliance.

If it does not come into compliance in 120 days, the City will then no longer be able to issue any commercial building permits. If the City still does not comply within 270 days, it will be prohibited from issuing any development approvals that do not facilitate affordable housing or emergency shelter. These actions ensure that land will remain available for the purposes of facilitating the development of affordable housing. 

Huntington Park resident Ramona Quezada and environmental justice organization Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) originally filed this lawsuit against the City of Huntington Park on March 15, 2021. Ramona and CBE are represented by Disability Rights California and Public Interest Law Project. 

Ramona Quezada says, “I am very happy with this decision; it is a win that we achieved with our community. Now, we need the City to work with us to make sure we have strong housing and environmental policies for me and my neighbors.”

Roberto Bustillo, community organizer with the United Residents of South East Los Angles (URSELA) at CBE, is hopeful with this win and recognizes that, “[N]ow we must come together as a community to hold Huntington Park accountable: these plans – the housing element and environmental justice element – must protect HP’s vulnerable communities, as well as reflect our needs and our vision for a healthy, inclusive future.”

Valerie Feldman of the Public Interest Law Project noted, “Strong, community-led housing elements are essential for any city that strives to be affordable and inclusive, to prevent gentrification, and to fulfill the promise of fair and open housing.”

Disability Rights California Litigation Counsel applauded the win noting that, “Access to affordable, accessible, healthy housing is critical for disability access. We believe that this judgment will help set the groundwork for a more accessible Huntington Park.”

Media Contacts

Melody Pomraning
Communications Director
Disability Rights California
(916) 504-5938
Melody.Pomraning@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities. For more information visit: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org.

Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) - Is one of the preeminent environmental justice organizations in the nation. Founded in 1978, the mission of CBE is to build people’s power in California’s communities of color and low-income communities to achieve environmental health and justice by preventing and reducing pollution and building green, healthy, and sustainable communities and environments. CBE provides residents in heavily polluted urban communities in California with organizing skills, leadership training and legal, scientific, and technical assistance so that they can successfully confront threats to their health and well-being.

Public Interest Law Project - Since 1996, the Public Interest Law Project (PILP) has provided crucial litigation and advocacy support to local legal services and public interest law programs throughout California. Responding to the elimination of federal funding for state and national legal services support centers, PILP was established to ensure that local legal services programs could continue to participate in major litigation and advocacy on behalf of low-income persons. Our seasoned attorneys have litigated over 200 high impact cases, drafted key legislation protecting lower income families and are recognized experts in the fields of public benefits and affordable housing. Learn more at www.pilpca.org