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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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Demands for high income, stellar credit and proof of payment during the pandemic have left many renters unable to find new housing.
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The decision leaves the city of L.A.’s protections in place for tenants who can’t pay rent due to COVID-19.
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Tenants have long complained that L.A. County fails to punish landlords who rent out deteriorating, unhealthy apartments. Now, that could change.
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That’s because the new law — while providing protections for rent relief applicants throughout the state — strips stronger protections from many tenants in L.A. County by superseding a new county ordinance.
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The state will stop taking new rent relief applications after March 31. If tenants don’t apply, they could soon face eviction.
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California tenants behind on their rent have until March 31 to apply for rent relief. The state will stop taking new applications in April.
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The state’s top lawyer told Pasadena it is unlawfully restricting duplexes in “landmark districts.”
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For two years, L.A. tenants have been protected from eviction over non-payment of rent. Now, county leaders are giving landlords some tax relief.
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Government aid requires tenants to apply for help. When they refuse or fail to qualify, landlords can get stuck shouldering the cost.
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Rent relief applicants were supposed to be protected from eviction. But many are getting dragged into court by their landlords.
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A new study finds 78% of L.A.’s residential land is reserved for detached, single-family houses. Researchers say those zoning patterns fuel segregation and racial income disparities.
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In one rent-controlled building in Koreatown, tenants have been told to accept large rent hikes — or face eviction. The city says the practice is legal.
