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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For the first time, voters in L.A. County will see nonpartisan impartial analysis of countywide measures. First up: Measures A and G, covering a half cent sales tax and the expansion of the Board of Supervisors. -
Newsom administration tells Beverly Hills its efforts to block a high-rise violate state housing lawThe affluent city has stalled plans for a 165-unit building. State housing officials say the “Builder’s Remedy” project should go forward. -
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles sees a need for affordable homes. They have the land — and now, a new housing nonprofit — to make it happen. -
The change comes after strict income eligibility rules prevented some disabled veterans experiencing homelessness from obtaining housing. -
The vote by the city housing committee overrides language drafted by the city attorney’s office, which had stripped the word “right” from the city’s proposal for a “right to counsel.” -
Other cities give free eviction lawyers to tenants as a right. But the city of L.A. is weighing a proposal that explicitly says that won’t be guaranteed. -
The iconic Skid Row building went from the true crime spotlight to homeless housing. But some residents wonder if they were better off before moving in. -
Rent hike limits under a key state law changed little for many SoCal renters in 2024. Here’s what to do if your landlord demands more. -
LA city planners hear from a chorus of Angelenos wanting more housing in single-family neighborhoodsCity officials plan to leave single-family zones out of their blueprint for hundreds of thousands of new homes. Many residents are urging them to reverse course. -
The city has a lot of work to do to meet state housing goals, including rezoning. But officials don’t want to touch single-family neighborhoods.
Stories by David Wagner
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