HANFORD, CA — Kings County and several of its cities are now being called out by the State of California as among the worst offenders when it comes to failing state housing laws.
On March 25, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom issued final warnings to 15 cities and counties statewide, including Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, Lemoore, and Kings County, for failing to adopt required housing plans that address affordability and future growth.
According to state officials, these jurisdictions are not just behind, they are more than two years out of compliance and still lack a clear plan to fix it, placing them in a small group of the most non-compliant communities in California.
These housing elements are required under state law and must outline how each jurisdiction plans to meet current and future housing needs across all income levels. State officials say the jurisdictions cited remain significantly behind schedule and lack a clear path to compliance.
The state has given these communities 30 days to respond or face escalating enforcement actions, including referral to the California Attorney General and potential lawsuits.
Governor Newsom made it clear that no community is exempt from the law.
“There’s no carve-out here. No community gets a pass when it comes to addressing homelessness or creating more housing access,” Newsom said.
Across California, 92 percent of jurisdictions have already achieved compliance during the current housing cycle. The remaining non-compliant areas, including those in Kings County, stand out as part of a shrinking group that has yet to meet state standards.
The Housing Accountability Unit, created to enforce these laws, has taken more than 1,200 actions statewide and has already secured multiple legal judgments against cities that failed to comply.
If Kings County and its cities do not take corrective action within the state’s deadline, they could face similar legal consequences.
State officials say the goal is to ensure that every community contributes to solving California’s housing crisis by planning for growth, increasing housing supply, and expanding access to affordable housing options.
Residents can track their local jurisdiction’s progress on housing, homelessness, and related efforts through the state’s accountability portal.
With multiple Kings County cities named in the same enforcement action, pressure is now mounting on local leadership to explain why progress has stalled and whether meaningful action will happen before the state moves forward with legal action.
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Francisco Ramirez is the founder of Kings Network News and creator of Kings Network Business, a platform that blends business networking, community support, and social media to uplift local entrepreneurs.
As a former Mayor of Hanford, California, he launched the Winter Wonderland event and brings over 20 years of business consulting experience. He is also a motivational speaker, life coach, strategist, author, podcaster, and skilled web and graphic designer.
He created The Invisible Kid: Courage to Succeed, a seminar on self-esteem and anti-bullying that has inspired youth across the region. Through media and consulting, Francisco empowers others to lead, grow, and make an impact.
