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David Wagner
What I cover
I cover housing in Southern California, a place where ever-rising rents and a persistent lack of affordable housing have led to many living on the edge of homelessness.
My background
I’ve been helping people understand their rights, housing market trends, policy changes and the solutions being proposed to fix the region’s housing crisis for more than five years.
My goals
I want my coverage to help renters, landlords and anyone else affected by L.A.’s affordability issues navigate the region’s ongoing housing crisis.
Best way to reach me
I would love to hear from you if you have questions or concerns related to housing in Southern California. You can reach out by email. I'm at dwagner@laist.com. Or, if you have a tip you’d like to share more privately, you can reach me on Signal. My username is @reporterdavidwagner.38. For instructions on getting started with Signal, see the app's support page.
Stories by David Wagner
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Sen. Alex Padilla has introduced a bill that would make existing tax exemptions permanent for the kinds of utility company payouts now being offered to Eaton Fire survivors.
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After voting to lower annual increases in rent-controlled housing, some L.A. City Council members now want some landlords to be able to hike rents an extra 1%.
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Every L.A. building surveyed for a new report was operating at a loss. Here’s how experts say their finances could be fixed.
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Jose Rodriguez lost the garage home where his son lived. He wasn’t trying to be the first to rebuild. But his experience helped him earn that distinction.
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State law requires banks to offer one year of delayed mortgage payments. With that period coming to an end, Bass is asking banks to voluntarily extend relief.
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If the post-fire exemption goes through, homeowners selling properties worth more than $5.3 million would not be subject to the tax under Measure ULA.
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L.A. providers say new Trump cuts come at a time when the local homeless services system is already facing difficult choices.
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Under the reforms approved by a majority of City Council members, rent hikes would be capped at 4%, even if inflation in the overall economy runs higher.
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After their more typical wood-framed homes burned, some are now rebuilding with non-combustible materials. And they’re getting discounts from insurance companies.
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A committee tasked with oversight of the city’s controversial tax said it has created 10,000 union construction jobs. LAist tracked down the claim’s origins.
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Residents compiled testing results for 50 remediated homes. One third still contained asbestos, and 63% contained elevated levels of lead. What does that mean for safety?
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City staff admit information on the city’s website is outdated and say new rules will be available for a City Council vote later this month to clear up confusion.
