California’s housing crisis is getting a much-needed reality check, and Governor Gavin Newsom is leading the charge. In a mic-drop moment, Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta just schooled the city of Artesia on their epic housing law violations, forcing them to create a plan for 1,069 new homes.

The Housing Smackdown

For years, Artesia has been playing hide-and-seek with its housing responsibilities, and Newsom wasn’t having it. The state’s Housing Accountability Unit, launched in 2021, has been the superhero we didn’t know we needed, pushing cities to actually do their job and build homes for Californians across all income levels.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The settlement isn’t just a slap on the wrist. It mandates that 608 of these new homes will be affordable for very low-, low-, and moderate-income residents. Translation? People who’ve been priced out of their own communities might finally get a chance to put down roots.

A Broader Battle

This isn’t just about Artesia – it’s a statewide wake-up call. While other states are seeing homelessness skyrocket, California has managed to limit its increase to just 3% in 2024. Newsom’s approach isn’t just about building housing; it’s about creating sustainable, affordable communities that actually work for real people.