Kings County, Hanford Named on Newsom’s Housing Shame List
Final Warnings Issued to Kings County and Four Cities for Housing Law Noncompliance
Kings County, along with four of its incorporated cities, has been issued a final warning by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for failing to meet state housing law requirements. The cities of Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, and Lemoore received these notices, as did the county itself.
The City of Hanford officials stated that the city is actively working toward compliance as part of a multi-jurisdictional housing element led by Kings County. In a statement, the city emphasized their collaboration with HCD and other local jurisdictions to meet state deadlines for the Kings Multijurisdictional Housing Element. They also mentioned that an updated Housing Element will be submitted to the State this week, with a commitment to complying with all state housing laws.
Under California state housing law, communities are required to adopt a housing plan—known as a housing element—that outlines how they will meet regional housing needs for residents at all income levels. This plan must be submitted to HCD for review.
Among the issues highlighted in the notice, the state pointed out that Kings County failed to claim $115,900 of the $160,000 available in appropriated state money for local housing initiatives. Governor Newsom emphasized that no community is exempt from addressing homelessness or creating more housing access.
The final notice addressed to Hanford city manager Christopher Tavarez stated that the city’s most recent housing element draft “is not in substantial compliance with Housing Element Law.” According to the notice, the city has provided two draft housing elements and several timelines to work toward compliance but has failed to submit a subsequent draft since receiving a letter from HCD on Oct. 24, 2025.
The county completed a seven-day public comment period, which concluded Thursday as part of the required public review process. Officials noted that HCD made available $123 million in planning grants for regions, cities, and counties to prepare, adopt, and implement plans that streamline housing approvals and accelerate housing production. Under this program, the county was eligible for, and received, an award of $160,000 through SB 2, $115,900.73 of which was left unclaimed. The county did not apply for a grant through the Local Early Action Planning Grant (LEAP) for local planning activities.
Officials said any necessary revisions will be incorporated and anticipated, with the county’s updated Housing Element expected to be submitted to HCD for certification by Friday. “Kings County recognizes the importance of housing planning as part of broader efforts to address housing availability and affordability,” county officials said.
Other cities and counties receiving notices included Atwater, California City, Escalon, Half Moon Bay, Merced County, Montclair, Oakdale, Patterson, Ridgecrest, and Turlock. According to HCD, the 15 communities are two years past the statutory deadline for housing element compliance and more than 60 days away from securing a certified housing element. These cities and counties have 30 days to respond to the Notices of Violation before HCD takes further action, including referral to the Attorney General.
State law requires that the housing element:
- Identify adequate sites to facilitate and encourage the development, maintenance and improvement of housing for households of all economic levels, including persons with special needs.
- Remove, as legally feasible and appropriate, governmental constraints to the production, maintenance, and improvement of housing for persons of all income levels.
- Assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of low- and moderate income households.
- Conserve and improve the condition of housing and neighborhoods, including existing affordable housing.
- Promote equal housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability.
- Preserve lower-income publicly-assisted housing developments within each community.
