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Building Your Block
A newsletter course from LAist that explains the obstacles around housing development in L.A. and what you can do to make things better.
We know there’s a housing shortage in L.A., and it’s created major challenges for the region. But try to understand how to fix the problem and it gets murky, fast. We need more housing, but where can we actually build it? Why does it seem like all the new buildings going up are luxury apartments? Why isn’t there enough affordable housing? And most importantly: What can you actually do to support the housing you want to see in L.A.?
These are just some of the questions that Building Your Block will tackle in this seven-issue newsletter course.
Think of it as your starter guide to the conversations L.A. is having about housing development, plus we’ll bring you some real talk on what you can do to advocate for the housing future you want.
What can I expect?
Over seven issues, we’ll cover everything from how zoning rules determine what gets built and where, to why there’s so little affordable housing.
We’ll cap it all off with a long list of ideas you can put into action to influence housing decisions in your backyard, your city and beyond.
How often will you email me?
This newsletter has seven issues in total. Once you sign up, you’ll get one new issue a day until it’s done.
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Some City Council members had questions about fire safety but agreed to draft new rules on single staircases to space for apartments in mid-sized buildings. -
A slim majority said Senate Bill 79 would take away the city’s control over housing growth. Other council members said the city is failing to confront the crisis. -
The homelessness agency says it needs to reassign staff amid budget reductions -
Hydee Feldstein Soto said she wants to know if city funds helped tenants as intended. The tenant aid group says it's already complied with contract reporting requirements. -
The campaign, backed by labor unions and community groups, says allowing short term rental of second homes would generate nearly $80 million in city revenue. -
After renters sued over alleged lack of enforcement, L.A. County has now clarified tenant rights and landlord responsibilities in smoke-damaged homes.
