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Listen Listen
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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Eight billion dollars each year. And 240,000 new homes. That’s what it will take to solve California’s homelessness crisis, according to a new report.
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Nearly 12% of the unhoused people in the U.S. — estimated to be about 582,000 on any given night — live in L.A. County.
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Mayor Karen Bass is telling city staff to dramatically shorten approval timelines for affordable housing. Here’s her plan to cut red tape.
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Bass says L.A. will be “master leasing” buildings across the city. Experts say the approach could move people indoors faster, but won’t be a panacea.
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If you’re facing a rent increase, eviction or need help affording rent in L.A. check out this list of resources.
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A new report suggests L.A. rarely enforces a local law for listings on websites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Is there a better way?