Nick Gerda
What I cover
I’m a reporter focusing on government accountability in Southern California, including around the homelessness crisis. I try to find answers to questions like: Why does it often seem like there’s so little progress around homelessness? What can be done to make systems more effective? And how are people in charge of these systems using their authority?
My background
I grew up in L.A. and Orange County and previously covered the county government in Orange County for more than a decade — often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health and the role of money in politics. At LAist, my reporting on corruption spurred a criminal investigation that led one of Orange County’s most powerful officials to resign, plead guilty and get sentenced to years in prison for a scheme that diverted millions in food money from needy seniors. For that work, in 2025, I was honored to be named journalist of the year for California, SoCal and Orange County and to receive the national Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts.
My goals
I want my coverage to inform the public and inspire positive change by identifying areas for improvement in the ways leaders are exercising power.
Best way to reach me
Email: ngerda@laist.com. Signal: ngerda.47
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Deadline extended for nonprofit with ties to OC supervisor to account for millions in taxpayer fundsViet America Society has been given more time after a pair of county deadlines came and went earlier this month. -
The debate comes after LAist obtained and published a leaked analysis commissioned by the city about its effectiveness. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and a top homelessness official, at the urging of a federal judge, promised in court to provide more transparency on how the city is spending taxpayer funds. -
Supervisor Andrew Do directed millions to the group, which was supposed to go toward feeding needy residents. “If they can’t prove then they should pay the money back,” Supervisor Katrina Foley told LAist. -
The program aims to move unhoused people off the street and into temporary housing. Its budget is $250 million for this fiscal year. -
A U.S. District judge announced Thursday that he plans to rule that the city of L.A. misled attorneys over promises to clear encampments and provide shelter beds. -
Orange County officials say they are scrambling to understand what’s happening at a county-funded nonprofit led by O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do’s 22 year-old daughter. The county says the group has failed to account for millions in taxpayer dollars. -
Analysis of a major homelessness enforcement policy, first reported by LAist, found 41.18 zones have failed to keep areas clear of encampments and get people housed. -
After the recent atmospheric rivers, it's time to check in on two popular wildflower spots to get the skinny on this year's post-storm bloom. -
The report looks at one of the council’s most controversial laws, a rule known as 41.18. Since 2021, council members have designated public areas in their district where unhoused people cannot sit, lie down, sleep, or keep belongings.
