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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Federal officials are letting LA County fast-track housing vouchers for 50 low-income households displaced by January’s fires. What you need to know to apply. -
A survey by the L.A. City Controller’s Office found 72% of tenants said landlord harassment continued after the city closed its case. -
Advocates cheered the City Council vote, but said it will be years before every low-income renter in L.A. gets a free eviction attorney. -
Why do so many L.A. landlords make renters bring their own refrigerators? An Inglewood state assemblymember is seeking to stop the practice. -
L.A. Supervisors backed off plans to cut aid that helps people stay housed — but went forward with other cuts prevention advocates say will make it harder for people at risk of losing housing to get legal help. -
Here’s what you need to know about the long-awaited findings on what the city has accomplished with billions of dollars in homelessness funding. -
A new Los Angeles City Council proposal aims to allow single-staircase buildings, a change advocates say would make room for more apartments, including bigger units for young families. -
The proposal mirrors a similar move by L.A. County leaders, who have also criticized LAHSA for oversight and accounting problems. -
The new guidance contradicts earlier statements from a city official who said tenants were on the hook for post-fire decontamination inside their own units. -
In the run-up to the 2028 Olympics, some city leaders say development barriers need to be removed. But opponents say the damage to communities could be long-lasting.
Stories by David Wagner
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