California settles lawsuit with Sacramento suburb over affordable housing project
California settles lawsuit with Sacramento suburb over affordable housing project The Associated PressCalifornia settles affordable housing lawsuit with Elk Grove. What did they agree to? Sacramento BeeCalifornia Gov. Newsom, AG Rob Bonta announce settlement with city of Elk Grove over housing project KCRA Sacramento
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Sacramento Suburb Settles Lawsuit, Commits to Building Affordable Housing
A settlement has been reached between a Sacramento suburb and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, following a lawsuit filed by the state over the alleged illegal denial of an affordable housing project in Elk Grove. The settlement requires the city to identify a new site for affordable housing by July 1, 2025, ensuring access to economic, educational, and health resources. Over the next five years, the state will have increased oversight over the city’s approval of affordable housing projects, receiving regular updates on their progress.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Background
The lawsuit filed by the state of California accused Elk Grove of violating state laws by denying a project to build 66 units of affordable housing for residents who experienced homelessness in an area known as Old Town. The state argued that this denial violated laws aimed at streamlining housing projects and preventing discriminatory decisions by local governments.
This legal battle reflects an ongoing conflict between the state and local governments regarding the approval and pace of housing projects. In 2022, Governor Newsom temporarily withheld funding from local governments that failed to effectively reduce homelessness. His administration has also sued the city of Huntington Beach in Southern California for allegedly disregarding state housing laws.
Settlement Details
As part of the settlement, Elk Grove will pay $150,000 in attorney and other legal fees to the state. Local officials expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting the city’s commitment to building affordable housing. They hope that in the future, the state will collaborate more closely with cities to facilitate affordable housing development, rather than resorting to litigation.
The Old Town project, known as the Oak Rose Apartments, was denied by the Elk Grove Planning Commission in 2022 due to concerns about residences on the first floor not meeting city standards for that area. However, Elk Grove settled another lawsuit earlier this year and approved an 81-unit affordable housing complex by the same developer in a different location.
Addressing the Housing Crisis
According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the state needs to build 2.5 million homes by 2030 to meet demand. Governor Newsom emphasized that the legal battle in Elk Grove highlights the severity of California’s housing crisis, which he referred to as “the original sin” of the state. Housing is a critical issue that impacts various aspects of the state’s functioning on a daily basis.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries | Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities | Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries | Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The issues highlighted in the article are related to affordable housing, housing discrimination, and the need for sustainable urbanization and inclusive human settlement planning. These align with the goals of SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
The article mentions the need for Elk Grove, the Sacramento suburb, to build more affordable housing for residents at risk of homelessness. This aligns with the target of ensuring access to affordable housing for all.
Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
The article highlights the conflict between the state and local government over housing projects and the need for sustainable urbanization. This aligns with the target of enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities
While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the target of providing universal access to safe and inclusive public spaces aligns with the broader goal of sustainable cities and communities.
Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries
The article mentions the involvement of the California Governor’s administration and the Attorney General’s office in overseeing the city’s approval of affordable housing projects. This demonstrates the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress:
Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.
Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards providing universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces.
Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries | Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities | Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries | Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals |
Source: apnews.com
