David Wagner
Housing Reporter
(he/him)
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. I help people understand their rights, housing market trends, policy changes and the solutions being proposed to fix the region’s housing crisis.
I grew up in Anaheim, where my parents had the car radio constantly tuned to LAist 89.3 (formerly KPCC). Before coming to KPCC and LAist, I covered science for the NPR affiliate in San Diego, KPBS.
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After City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto refused to sign a tenant aid contract, the City Council approved temporary funding while a new contract remains up for grabs. -
If your landlord still won’t remove toxic ash from your home, a new state law could help. -
Local officials told renters they couldn’t force landlords to clean ash-covered homes. A new state law, inspired in part by LAist’s reporting, clarifies who’s responsible. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
The discussions this week kicked off 380 days after a critical report came out. It's been 40 years since the formula that determines rent hikes in most L.A. apartments was last updated. -
Only high-rise developments would be required to hire union construction workers under plan advanced in committee this week. -
If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law, SB 79 will allow apartment buildings up to nine stories tall near major transit lines. Here’s how to find out if your block qualifies. -
County agrees to enforce cleaning in Altadena apartments. Tenants say it may be too late to help some but could establish clear rules in future fires. -
As many immigrant families struggle to pay rent, county leaders ask: Is another eviction moratorium the solution?
Stories by David Wagner
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