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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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Due to the problems, most of the stations where unhoused people can access free water opened over a month late.
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We explore rent control through key moments that shaped California and parts of Los Angeles County.
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Officials focused shelter efforts at people living where the risk was highest – along rivers and flood zones. But only a few hundred emergency shelter beds were launched, despite over 50,000 people living outdoors in L.A. County.
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In the past six months, L.A. landlords have filed close to 40,000 evictions. A new map shows where those evictions are happening.
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The Mayfair Hotel near downtown will become part of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe program.
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An LAist review finds 274 units, partially paid for by the voter-approved bond measure Proposition HHH, have sat empty for more than 60 days.