Nick Gerda
Why does it often seem like there’s so little progress around homelessness? What can be done to make systems more effective? From the halls of government to the streets, I follow money and policies to examine what’s working, what’s not, and how it’s affecting people in Southern California.
I grew up in L.A. and OC, and previously spent more than a decade at Voice of OC covering the county government in Orange County — often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
My reporting on corruption in Orange County spurred a federal investigation that led to a powerful O.C. supervisor — Andrew Do — pleading guilty to a federal bribery charge and resigning. That work won the Dan Rather Medal for News and Guts and was a finalist for an Investigative Reporters and Editors award.
If you have a tip, you can reach me on Signal. My username is ngerda.47.
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And if you're comfortable just reaching out by email, I'm at ngerda@scpr.org.
I’m always eager for story ideas and feedback. Your insights help inform my reporting.
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Federal judge David O. Carter says he wants the VA’s West L.A. campus to dramatically increase the housing available for veterans to include space for about 4,000 people. -
Mayor Bass made an ambitious campaign pledge to address homelessness by housing 17,000 Angelenos. We’ve been trying to keep tabs, but it’s complicated.
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Sarmiento is calling for changes in how Orange County awards contracts after LAist reports that his colleague Andrew Do failed to disclose that his daughter ran a nonprofit that received millions of taxpayer dollars.
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It’s the second high-profile instance to emerge recently of O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do not disclosing a relevant family relationship during official proceedings.
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Top OC official helped direct millions to his daughter’s center without disclosing family connectionOver the past year, Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do was involved in directing $3.1 million to a mental health center where his daughter, Rhiannon Do, was president.
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The proposal is headed to the full city council for final approval. You can weigh in before the vote.
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The funding for the troubled nonprofit comes on top of a previous $10 million the council approved in June and another $2 million earlier this month.
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Bass followed up with the VA secretary on a federal rule that LAist previously reported was keeping hundreds of unhoused veterans with disabilities around the country from accessing housing.
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A vote on the issue is expected Tuesday by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
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The L.A. city council unanimously confirmed Mayor Karen Bass’ appointment to the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority.
