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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 slim majority said Senate Bill 79 would take away the city’s control over housing growth. Other council members said the city is failing to confront the crisis.
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Hydee Feldstein Soto said she wants to know if city funds helped tenants as intended. The tenant aid group says it's already complied with contract reporting requirements.
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After renters sued over alleged lack of enforcement, L.A. County has now clarified tenant rights and landlord responsibilities in smoke-damaged homes.
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One tenant thought he got a great deal — until his landlord raised his rent by almost 12%.
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In response to rising climate change-driven heat deaths, landlords will be required to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of 82°F in unincorporated parts of L.A. County.
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Starting Friday, the city will cover 10% less rent for Section 8 voucher holders.
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Following uproar from homeowners and local elected leaders, a state law allowing denser housing in single-family areas will no longer apply to the Pacific Palisades.
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Starting Aug. 1, a state rent control law will limit annual increases to 8%. The region’s ceiling on rent hikes has been 8.9% over the last year.
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Should Palisades and Altadena homeowners be able to build duplexes on their burned lots? Some state and local officials say no.
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Starting Aug. 1, the city will decrease rent subsidies for its federally funded Section 8 housing vouchers, leaving 60,000 households stuck with fewer places to go.
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Facing budget shortfalls, local governments are now asking philanthropists to help provide cash assistance and rent relief to families with detained workers.
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The district attorney’s office has not filed any charges for post-fire price gouging. Now, county leaders want the ability to issue daily fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
