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California Appellate Court Rules Huntington Beach Must Comply with Affordable Housing Laws

After a two year-long legal battle, the California Court of Appeal found that all cities, regardless of charter status, are bound by Article 14, by the Housing Element Law, and by the statutory remedies that are available when cities fail to comply with it. The ruling brings affordable housing advocates another step closer to seeing the city adopt a plan to ensure equitable housing opportunity for all its residents.

September 11, 2025

New Reports Shows Displacement Risks from Post-Eaton Fire Corporate Land Grab; Shares Urgent Policies Needed to Safeguard Altadena’s Black Community

PILP and local partners released a new report analyzing the displacement risks facing long-term Altadena residents, especially Black Altadenans, in the wake of the Eaton Fire as outside investors rush in. It makes concrete policy recommendations for local and state leaders to protect families from displacement and preserve Altadena’s historic neighborhoods and residents.

August 27, 2025

Statement on Recent ICE Raids

PILP joins the Legal Aid Association of California in its statement on recent ICE raids.

PILP and partners oppose AB 1893 for undercutting affordable housing and environmental justice.

At a time when the need for affordable housing and climate justice is paramount, why are legislators reducing affordable housing requirements and harming health protections in California?

PILP in the News

Could the Supreme Court Kill a Key Funding Source for SF Affordable Housing?

Michael Rawson, co-founder of the Public Interest Law Project in Oakland, advocates for affordable housing and public benefits. He considers the Yu case more likely to end up in settlement than a grinding, years-long crusade through high courts. But “anytime inclusionary zoning laws get attacked there’s a possibility the decision will end up at SCOTUS,” Rawson says. “That’s certainly one way this could turn out.”

August 25, 2025

California affordable housing programs are on the chopping block after Supreme Court ruling

Whether a city decides it needs more schools, apartment buildings, businesses or, in the case of inclusionary zoning, affordable housing, it has broad power under the constitution to “decide, for the good of the general welfare, that we’re going to require this,” said Mike Rawson, director of litigation at the Public Interest Law Project.

Orange County Confronts Homelessness Ahead of Thanksgiving

“It is undeniable that the crisis of houselessness has been exacerbated by the high cost of housing, lack of adequate support and affordable and supportive housing in our state,” [Ugochi Anaebere-Nicholson] said during public comment.

November 24, 2024

New bill bad for housing, climate and environmental justice

In an op-ed, Executive Director Shashi Hanuman writes, "AB 1893 takes California housing and land use policy in the wrong direction. The last thing California needs is a law that reduces affordable housing, encourages sprawl, limits efforts to ensure public health and safety, and invites corporate developers to sue our cities and counties at taxpayer expense. Lawmakers should reject AB 1893."