Governor Gavin Newsom is threatening the city of Norwalk with legal action if it does not lift the ban on homeless shelters and other housing.

“It is unfathomable that while our state is battling a homeless crisis, Norwalk is passing an ordinance banning the construction of homeless shelters,” Newsom said in a statement. “It is counterproductive and immoral for a community to raise its hands and say it has done enough while there are still people in need.”

Last month, Norwalk passed an ordinance that temporarily banned homeless shelters, one-bedroom apartments and assisted living. The ordinance also banned liquor stores, laundromats, car washes and credit unions.

“Due to their operational characteristics, the uses listed and defined above may have adverse community impacts (e.g., property preservation, over-proliferation, safety noise, and potential economic impacts),” said a Sept. 17 city council report.

The report recommends that the City Council extend the ban on homeless shelters, liquor stores and other construction projects for another 10½ months.

Newsom’s administration sent the city a notice of violations of various housing laws and warned that if the ordinance is not repealed, it could refer the matter to the state attorney general’s office for enforcement. Norwalk has until Monday to respond.

“The residents of Norwalk – indeed, all Californians – should be outraged,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “If necessary, my office is prepared to take legal action against Norwalk.”