California sues 'Surf City USA' using new housing law

Gov. Newsom's administration is using a new law for the first time in an attempt to force Southern California's self-styled "Surf City USA" to meet housing goals.

The administration said it’s suing Huntington Beach under the law that took effect Jan. 1. The measure was passed in 2017 as part of a package of bills intended to address the state's severe housing shortage and homelessness problem.

Officials say Huntington Beach is being sued in part because city officials rejected chances to come into compliance in recent years.

They say negotiations began before Huntington Beach challenged the state's so-called immigration sanctuary law, and isn't related to that ongoing lawsuit.

Huntington Beach attorney Michael Gates hadn't seen the lawsuit being filed in Orange County and couldn't immediately comment.