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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Lourdes Castro Ramirez, who oversees much of the state’s homelessness and housing spending, will start as Karen Bass’ chief of housing and homelessness on Nov. 6. -
The new beds won’t end homelessness, but people on all sides say it’s a major step to make crucial treatment more accessible.
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Mayor Karen Bass is set to answer questions at the town hall where she plans to update residents on the homelessness crisis and community safety.
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It’s 10 times as many beds as the county promised a year ago to end the civil rights case.
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“Watching this is tragic,” Judge David O. Carter said. He disputed the VA’s claims that it has no obligation to act in the best interest of veterans.
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Hundreds of veterans who have severe disabilities from their service can’t get housing because their disability compensation puts them just over the income threshold for housing aid.
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Herb Scannell led efforts to expand podcasting and diversify the organization, and made the controversial decision to cut 21 positions in June.
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The 424-page document could open a new chapter in the long-running "snitch scandal" that has upended multiple murder cases in Orange County.
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On the agenda: Storm shelter prep, data problems and people getting kicked out of shelters.
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Due to the problems, most of the stations where unhoused people can access free water opened over a month late.
