Newsom blasts 3 cities in Stanislaus over housing plans. Here are their responses
Turlock, Oakdale and Patterson are among 15 local governments that Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized for delayed housing plans.
All three told The Modesto Bee that they are working hard on the documents, which detail where homes at various income levels could go.
Newsom said in a March 25 news release that the 15 could face lawsuits over the plans, known as housing elements. They were supposed to cover 2023 through 2031 but are running late.
“No community gets a pass when it comes to addressing homelessness or creating more housing access,” Newsom said. “We’ll keep pushing forward by enforcing the law, fighting NIMBY actions and holding local governments accountable, because every Californian deserves a place to call home.”
The 15 also include the cities of Escalon and Atwater and the unincorporated area governed by the county of Merced. The others are in Kings, Kern, San Bernardino and San Mateo counties.
Newsom noted that 480 other city and county governments have complied. Failure could mean less state funding for road and other projects, and less control over local land use.
The plans specify housing sites for people defined as “very low income,” on up through middle and upper levels. They have details on race, age, employment, disability and housing assistance programs. The plans involve public hearings and input from the state Department of Housing and Community Development. City councils and county supervisors adopt them.
Housing sites can include recently approved subdivisions, expected growth zones and multi-story apartments on underused commercial streets.
Turlock aims for 5,802 homes, Oakdale for 1,665
Turlock proposes 5,802 housing units in its current draft. This includes 1,305 for very low income people, 904 low income and 1,096 in the middle. Apartments could be on retail strips such as Geer Road, Lander Avenue and North Golden State Boulevard.
Interim City Manager Gary Hampton responded to Newsom in a news release: “Although progress has been made, the HCD review process has taken longer than anticipated. The city requested clarification on several remaining items in January of this year and is waiting for a response from HCD staff in order to finalize revisions and formally resubmit to the state with a view to completing the process.”
The release added that the city “is working to ensure the housing element is completed in a manner that reflects the needs of Turlock residents and meets state requirements.”
Oakdale’s draft plan shows 1,665 housing units over eight years. Of these, 414 would be very low income, 296 low income and 294 middle income. The sites include new subdivisions and the F Street corridor both east and west of downtown.
In an emailed statement, City Manager Jerry Ramar said Oakdale would formally respond to the state by April 23, as requested.
“We remain focused on adopting a compliant housing element as quickly as possible to help address California’s housing needs,” he said.
Why is Patterson unusual?
Patterson’s draft housing element shows a total of 3,716 units over eight years. The breakdown includes 523 very low income, 724 low income and 593 moderate. The needs could be met in new subdivisions and redeveloped sites.
Patterson’s plan conflicts with another state mandate: reducing well-pumping in this overdrafted part of the county. The California Department of Water Resources enforces these rules.
Victoria Castro, the city’s public information officer, responded to the housing issue by email. She said Patterson has just rezoned land for homes and completed the required study of environmental impacts. It also is working on a river water source.
“We remain committed to aligning with state standards and will continue working collaboratively with HCD to support responsible, community-focused growth,” Castro said.
The only Bay Area city targeted by Newsom is Half Moon Bay, on the coast south of San Francisco. In Kings County, he cited the county government and the cities of Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford and Lemoore. Ridgecrest and California City in Kern County were mentioned, as was Montclair in San Bernardino County.
This story was originally published March 30, 2026 at 5:58 PM.
