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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A letter signed by the county's top attorney warns that he's prepared to take "any and all legal remedies" to ensure Viet America Society and Hand for Hand rebate millions of public funds and fully account for millions more. -
People were served almost exclusively instant noodles, even though the providers are being paid to serve nutritious foods, according to officials. -
“There’s no way they’re getting that money back,” Sterling Scott Winchell, the attorney for VAS, told the Orange County Register. The county could file suit to try to get a court to recover the money. -
The repayment demands, detailed in Orange County letters obtained by LAist, come as officials found that the nonprofit Viet America Society failed to show that meals to seniors were handed out as required under a county contract. Supervisor Andrew Do did not respond to requests for comment. -
In a unanimous vote, the five supervisors said they’re not changing the county’s longstanding approach in the jurisdiction they control. -
A motion up for approval by county supervisors calls for a regional strategy to reduce the effect of a recent Supreme Court ruling on homelessness. -
Last month the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities are no longer prohibited from punishing homeless people for camping if they have nowhere else to go. -
As homelessness continues to be a top concern for Angelenos, LAist wants to hear from you. Tell us what’s shifted — or not — in your neighborhood. -
Judge David O. Carter says he’ll rule in the future on what changes will have to be made. -
The suit alleges two top city elected officials have covertly and illegally thwarted a housing proposal for a city-owned lot that’s 800 feet from the beach in Venice. The officials, including the L.A. city attorney, did not have comment.
