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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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A proposed city fee update would have dramatically increased how much people have to pay to appeal approvals of new housing projects.
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The lawsuit alleges politicians illegally blocked a state housing density law in neighborhoods rebuilding from the Palisades and Eaton fires.
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The Huntington Park City Council is set to vote on a proposal to stop landlords from evicting tenants until they’re more than one month late on rent.
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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.
