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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.
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After Dec. 31, many renters in L.A. County will no longer be protected from eviction for non-payment of rent.
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The settlement closes a federal lawsuit filed more than two years ago by the LA Alliance for Human Rights.
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More than a year after the Hyperion wastewater treatment plant spilled 17 million gallons of raw sewage, residents are still smelling foul odors.
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The prevalence of unhoused Angelenos identifying as Latino has grown 26% in the last two years. Here’s what’s driving the increase.
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In L.A.’s first homeless count during the pandemic, the numbers are still going up. But officials say there’s a “flattening of the curve.”
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The Route Fire that broke out last week seriously damaged the northbound 5 Freeway near Castaic. It’s unclear when closed lanes will reopen.
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Despite COVID rent freezes, tenants still get demands from landlords to pay more. Whether they can fight back depends on where they live.
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We asked L.A. drivers what it would take for them to go car-free.
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Backers say SB 679 would centralize affordable housing efforts across a divided region. Opponents say it could lead to higher taxes on homeowners.
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The Bell Gardens city council voted to advance a plan that caps annual rent hikes at 4%, joining Pomona in adopting new rent controls.
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Featured in countless true crime stories, the downtown L.A. hotel has had a rough start in getting tenants into the building.
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State and local laws meant to stop massive rent hikes are now allowing double-digit increases. Why? Blame inflation.
