Elk Grove is in the crosshairs of California AG Rob Bonta. Here is how they get out | Opinion

On Wednesday, elected leaders in Elk Grove need to finally get serious about approving desperately needed affordable housing in the heart of the city. They’ve already been sued by California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, for violating Senate Bill 35, which streamlines the construction of affordable housing in cities and counties that don’t build enough of it.

It’s sad but true that Elk Grove fits this description.

That’s why Bonta sued them. That’s why Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized them. That’s why Elk Grove city council members led by Bobbie Singh-Allen need to stop playing games and comply with state law.

California is in an affordable housing crisis which is a major factor in a homelessness crisis. We are here because cities like Elk Grove spend their time caving to NIMBYs and using their talent and resources to slow-walk affordable housing projects or to kill them. That’s why SB. 35 was passed in the first place, why Bonta sued Elk Grove, and why the governor targeted them.

Cities like Elk Grove have proved that when left to their own devices, they defer, deflect and deny affordable housing.

Just consider the recent actions in Elk Grove:

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After Bonta’s lawsuit and a suit from the developer, Excelerate Housing, the city decided it would revisit the rejection of a ready-for-construction, privately financed affordable housing project in the Old Town area of the city. At its Sept. 27 meeting, after passionate public testimony on both sides, the city decided to take no further action. The council did, however, decide to discuss and possibly vote again at its upcoming, Oct. 11 meeting.

Most tellingly, city staffers who originally recommended denying the project have now completely reversed their opinion since the litigation began, citing the financial burden to the city in defending itself against multiple lawsuits.

“While the city formally disputes the claims and allegations of the pending cases, as with any litigation, there is a risk of loss, which must be considered in evaluating how to proceed,” wrote staff in its report. “To mitigate the impact of the litigation and risk of loss on the city, city staff, including the City’s legal counsel, recommend that the city reconsider approval of the project as discussed in this staff report.”

To review: Elk Grove is being sued by the state, the developer and its own staff are telling the elected officials to approve the project.

That means the Elk Grove City Council is putting the city at risk should they continue to defer, deflect and fight..

Called Oak Rose, the project that Elk Grove tried hard to kill would be the first affordable housing complex in the city to provide permanent housing and services for low-income families who have previously been homeless. It would be favorably close to bus lines, city services, and shopping for residents who may not have the benefit of a car.

This editorial board visited Elk Grove in May. We found leaders to be sincere about their enthusiasm for its limited affordable housing efforts to date. The problem is that Elk Grove has not done nearly enough, and it is hardly alone. The homeless crisis is first and foremost a housing crisis that gets solved with more housing like this project. Mayor Singh-Allen kept talking about the importance of cities maintaining local control. Yes, but too many California cities have killed affordable housing projects while screaming “local control.”

Bonta, in announcing his office’s lawsuit in May, said Elk Grove “left us no choice.” That fact is becoming increasingly obvious — and increasingly embarrassing — for everyone involved. Come on, Elk Grove, Do the right thing. Your city, and our state, needs more affordable housing.