Telepeer

Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland’s hypocritical housing stance

March 23, 2023

Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland, a former California state legislator, has become a top voice for NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) as he leads his city in a taxpayer-funded legal battle against California housing mandates. It’s off-putting that a supposed conservative would take an extreme anti-property rights position, but that’s just the tip of his hypocrisy iceberg.

The Register reported this month that Strickland lives in a condominium “which was built for those who qualify to purchase units based on family income limits.” We don’t begrudge Strickland for living in this home, which his wife purchased with her former husband in 2000. But this type of project might not get off the ground if Strickland’s slow-growth policies take hold.

We’re not fans of government-subsidized housing, but we support efforts by the state to deregulate land uses and allow builders to create projects the market demands. Under Strickland’s leadership, Huntington Beach is using the “local control” mantra to defy housing laws – and keep owners from exercising their property rights. The city has even refused to process applications for granny flats.

Opinion |

Janet Yellen’s (Johnny) Cash problem

Opinion |

Unions strut while L.A. students suffer

Opinion |

L.A. teachers union proves yet again it’s not about the children

Opinion |

After court ruling, California’s gig worker battle takes new turn

Opinion |

Muslims’ month of worship and contemplation

“This rapid, reckless, state-mandated re-development scheme threatens the health, safety and welfare of the city; it overburdens existing city infrastructure, damages environmentally sensitive areas of the city, and devalues affected private properties,” the city argued in its lawsuit against the state. Egads. Such attitudes explain why the state needed to pass a package of housing laws in the first place.

“The housing crisis facing families across the state demands that all cities and counties do their part, and those that flagrantly violate state housing laws will be held to account,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. It’s hard to disagree. What would Huntington Beach do if its residents flagrantly violated the city’s laws?

In response to news of his living situation, Strickland denies there’s hypocrisy because he supports affordable housing – but not the type “that guts our suburban coastal community.” So he’s fine with the kind of housing he likes and against the kind he doesn’t. Fortunately, one anti-property-rights mayor is unlikely to have the final say.

Orange County Register

News Details

Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland’s hypocritical housing stance

Related Articles

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS