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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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For months, the state has been helping tenants clear their rent debts. Now certain homeowners can apply for mortgage relief.
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Next year, L.A. voters could be asked to pass a new tax on real estate sales of $5 million or more.
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Since the pandemic started, nearly 40% fewer people have been moving into L.A. from other parts of the U.S.
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Unlike other homeless housing projects, the renovation of the Cecil didn’t rely on taxpayer money. And it’s creating new units at a fraction of the cost.
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L.A. has already created lots of housing through “adaptive reuse” of old buildings. The pandemic could lead to even more conversions.
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Attorney General Rob Bonta alleges Redondo Beach-based Wedgewood illegally forced hundreds of Californians out of their homes. The company admits no wrongdoing.
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From 2010 through 2020, California built the least number of homes relative to new jobs of any state.
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A judge agreed to let the groups join the case as defendants. L.A. landlord Geoffrey Palmer argues in the suit that the city’s eviction moratorium represents an unconstitutional “taking” of private property.
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The lawsuit claims L.A. County’s failure to comply with state law puts thousands of Angelenos in danger of going hungry each month.
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L.A. tenants have been given a chance to apply for rent relief. Now, a new county program is offering help to some employers.
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Council members say tech companies using algorithms to purchase homes are driving up prices. But how common is “iBuying” in L.A.?
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Language barriers, the digital divide and immigration fears are some of the hurdles preventing tenants in need from seeking help.
