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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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State housing officials warned the city Monday that its policy violates state law. The five city council members voted unanimously Tuesday to extend it anyway, banning new permits for shelters, interim housing and supportive apartments for unhoused people.
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Four years after the class action suit was filed and Just as trial was set to begin, the nonprofit settled. AHF is a major bankroller of ballot initiatives to overturn limits on rent-control in the state.
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The independent economic analysis finds some rent increase rules favor landlords and recommends changing the formula for deciding annual increases for rent-controlled apartments. It was filed four months ago but not released publicly. LAist obtained a copy through a public records request.
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Frustrated by a slow-moving audit, Judge David O. Carter told L.A. homelessness officials, “You’re not working on your time frame now. You’re working on mine.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The change comes after strict income eligibility rules prevented some disabled veterans experiencing homelessness from obtaining housing.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
