KINGS COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Housing for people of all income levels is at the center of a warning issued Wednesday by Governor Newsom.
His office says 15 communities have failed to comply with state housing laws.
Seven of those are in Central California, including Kings County.
“We are aware that there is a big need in our community to provide more housing, more affordable housing. I know there is a team effort that is being worked on right now, both with public agencies and non-profit agencies, to really try and help create that environment,” says Jeff Garner, the Executive Director of Kings Community Action Organization.
The non-profit has been working behind the scenes to increase local housing resources.
They have noticed a need for more housing in the last 10 years.
Garner explains, “And so we have definitely invested more as an agency in terms of our partnerships that we have that have been geared around housing services. Just in the last year, we have started programs in collaboration with the county.”
In the meantime, Kings County is working to finalize its revised housing plan for submission to the governor’s office.
“We have submitted stuff periodically, but the state has come back with revisions here and there, and we continue to work through those,” explains Matthew Boyett, Kings County Assistant Executive Officer.
The governor’s office says 92% of communities have met requirements and are in compliance with the Department of Housing and Community Development.
It also says those on the list are more than 2 years behind and could face legal action.
In Central California, the list includes Atwater, Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, Lemoore, Merced County and Kings County.
“The reason why Hanford, Corcoran, Avenal and Kings County are on the list is because we are working collaboratively together on our housing element, so it is all or nothing. If the state doesn’t like the plan then we are all in the plan together,” says Boyett.
The county says it plans to submit a revised version to the state by the end of this week.
In the meantime, public comment is open; those details can be found here.
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