David Wagner
@dwagner.bsky.social
Reporter covering housing for @laist.com
Get in touch: dwagner@laist.com
Get in touch: dwagner@laist.com
Did you know that California cities must give landlords who are financially struggling a way to get around rent control?
I looked into these programs and found that few landlords apply, and even fewer are approved. Why? Read more in my @laist.com story:
I looked into these programs and found that few landlords apply, and even fewer are approved. Why? Read more in my @laist.com story:
LA cities have programs for landlords to get around rent control. But they’re rarely used
These programs give struggling landlords a way to raise rents above what local caps normally allow. But few apply, and even fewer get approved. LAist asked why.
laist.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Did you know that California cities must give landlords who are financially struggling a way to get around rent control?
I looked into these programs and found that few landlords apply, and even fewer are approved. Why? Read more in my @laist.com story:
I looked into these programs and found that few landlords apply, and even fewer are approved. Why? Read more in my @laist.com story:
When it comes to renters, Scorpios are “particular,” Libras are “gold,” and Aquariuses “can't make up their mind.”
That's according to one L.A. landlord who asks his applicants about their astrological sign. Is that legal? Find out in my @laist.com story:
That's according to one L.A. landlord who asks his applicants about their astrological sign. Is that legal? Find out in my @laist.com story:
This LA landlord asks renters for their astrological sign. Is that legal?
Dave Goldstein says Scorpio tenants are “particular” and Libras are “gold.” Housing rights attorneys say there’s no specific law against asking, but it’s legally dicey.
laist.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:31 PM
When it comes to renters, Scorpios are “particular,” Libras are “gold,” and Aquariuses “can't make up their mind.”
That's according to one L.A. landlord who asks his applicants about their astrological sign. Is that legal? Find out in my @laist.com story:
That's according to one L.A. landlord who asks his applicants about their astrological sign. Is that legal? Find out in my @laist.com story:
Prominent L.A. eviction lawyer Dennis Block — who once said he has "evicted more tenants than any other human being on the planet Earth" — is now facing disciplinary charges from the CA State Bar. 👇
January 12, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Prominent L.A. eviction lawyer Dennis Block — who once said he has "evicted more tenants than any other human being on the planet Earth" — is now facing disciplinary charges from the CA State Bar. 👇
A pandemic-era housing voucher program is running out of money. Housing officials in the city of Los Angeles say they've told renters their subsidies could expire by November, putting thousands at risk of homelessness.
More details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
More details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
Thousands of LA renters in danger of losing housing vouchers, city says
The city's housing authority says a pandemic-era housing voucher program could wind down by November, leaving thousands at risk of homelessness.
laist.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
A pandemic-era housing voucher program is running out of money. Housing officials in the city of Los Angeles say they've told renters their subsidies could expire by November, putting thousands at risk of homelessness.
More details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
More details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
A new report finds that investors are scooping up 44% of vacant lots in Altadena.
That's leading to anxiety over change in fire-ravaged neighborhoods. Are corporate buyers helpful rebuilders? Or "disaster capitalists?"
More in my @laist.com story:
That's leading to anxiety over change in fire-ravaged neighborhoods. Are corporate buyers helpful rebuilders? Or "disaster capitalists?"
More in my @laist.com story:
Investors are buying close to half the empty lots in LA burn zones, report says
A new report from the real estate listings platform Redfin finds about 44% of Altadena lots were sold to corporate buyers in recent months.
laist.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A new report finds that investors are scooping up 44% of vacant lots in Altadena.
That's leading to anxiety over change in fire-ravaged neighborhoods. Are corporate buyers helpful rebuilders? Or "disaster capitalists?"
More in my @laist.com story:
That's leading to anxiety over change in fire-ravaged neighborhoods. Are corporate buyers helpful rebuilders? Or "disaster capitalists?"
More in my @laist.com story:
Housing advocates filed a lawsuit today against Gov. Newsom and L.A. leaders, saying they illegally banned duplexes in burn zones.
The fight over how much new housing should be allowed as L.A. rebuilds is headed to court. My @laist.com story has the details:
The fight over how much new housing should be allowed as L.A. rebuilds is headed to court. My @laist.com story has the details:
Housing advocates sue Newsom, local leaders over duplex ban in fire recovery zones
The lawsuit alleges politicians illegally blocked a state housing density law in neighborhoods rebuilding from the Palisades and Eaton fires.
laist.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Housing advocates filed a lawsuit today against Gov. Newsom and L.A. leaders, saying they illegally banned duplexes in burn zones.
The fight over how much new housing should be allowed as L.A. rebuilds is headed to court. My @laist.com story has the details:
The fight over how much new housing should be allowed as L.A. rebuilds is headed to court. My @laist.com story has the details:
Late on this month's rent? In a growing number of SoCal cities, you could be protected from eviction.
Read my @laist.com story on a proposal that would make Huntington Park the next city to halt evictions until tenants are more than one month behind.
Read my @laist.com story on a proposal that would make Huntington Park the next city to halt evictions until tenants are more than one month behind.
One month late on rent? In Huntington Park, you could soon be protected from eviction
The Huntington Park City Council is set to vote on a proposal to stop landlords from evicting tenants until they’re more than one month late on rent.
laist.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Late on this month's rent? In a growing number of SoCal cities, you could be protected from eviction.
Read my @laist.com story on a proposal that would make Huntington Park the next city to halt evictions until tenants are more than one month behind.
Read my @laist.com story on a proposal that would make Huntington Park the next city to halt evictions until tenants are more than one month behind.
Should small landlords be allowed to raise rents more than their corporate counterparts? The L.A. City Council is set to vote on that question today.
More details in my @laist.com story:
More details in my @laist.com story:
Should small landlords in LA be allowed to raise rents more than their corporate counterparts?
After voting to lower annual increases in rent-controlled housing, some L.A. City Council members now want some landlords to be able to hike rents an extra 1%.
laist.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Should small landlords be allowed to raise rents more than their corporate counterparts? The L.A. City Council is set to vote on that question today.
More details in my @laist.com story:
More details in my @laist.com story:
The first completed home on an Altadena lot burned in the Eaton Fire is here. It's an ADU built by a retired construction worker who wanted to replace his son's lost home.
Read more about what County leaders are calling "an important milestone" in my @laist.com story:
Read more about what County leaders are calling "an important milestone" in my @laist.com story:
How a retired construction worker finished Altadena’s first home on a lot burned by the Eaton Fire
Jose Rodriguez lost the garage home where his son lived. He wasn’t trying to be the first to rebuild. But his experience helped him earn that distinction.
laist.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The first completed home on an Altadena lot burned in the Eaton Fire is here. It's an ADU built by a retired construction worker who wanted to replace his son's lost home.
Read more about what County leaders are calling "an important milestone" in my @laist.com story:
Read more about what County leaders are calling "an important milestone" in my @laist.com story:
L.A. City Hall is moving forward with plans to cancel the "mansion tax" for Pacific Palisades homeowners recovering from January's fire.
Get details on today's city council vote in my @laist.com story:
Get details on today's city council vote in my @laist.com story:
LA committee votes to explore canceling ‘mansion tax’ for Palisades homeowners
If the post-fire exemption goes through, homeowners selling properties worth more than $5.3 million would not be subject to the tax under Measure ULA.
laist.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
L.A. City Hall is moving forward with plans to cancel the "mansion tax" for Pacific Palisades homeowners recovering from January's fire.
Get details on today's city council vote in my @laist.com story:
Get details on today's city council vote in my @laist.com story:
NEW: After years of debate, L.A. is moving to lower the rent hikes allowed in most apartments.
The city council just voted to cap increases at 4% moving forward, down from the current maximum of 10%.
Get the full details in my @laist.com story:
The city council just voted to cap increases at 4% moving forward, down from the current maximum of 10%.
Get the full details in my @laist.com story:
LA reforms rent control for first time in 40 years, lowering rent hikes for most tenants
Under the reforms approved by a majority of City Council members, rent hikes would be capped at 4%, even if inflation in the overall economy runs higher.
laist.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
NEW: After years of debate, L.A. is moving to lower the rent hikes allowed in most apartments.
The city council just voted to cap increases at 4% moving forward, down from the current maximum of 10%.
Get the full details in my @laist.com story:
The city council just voted to cap increases at 4% moving forward, down from the current maximum of 10%.
Get the full details in my @laist.com story:
Reposted by David Wagner
In 1923, a fire tore through Berkeley, destroying roughly 600 homes, including many by architect Bernard Maybeck. Years before, he was already a big fan of concrete (see his 1910 First Church of Christ, Scientist, now a national landmark). But the fire -er- cemented his love of fireproof materials.
November 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
In 1923, a fire tore through Berkeley, destroying roughly 600 homes, including many by architect Bernard Maybeck. Years before, he was already a big fan of concrete (see his 1910 First Church of Christ, Scientist, now a national landmark). But the fire -er- cemented his love of fireproof materials.
Concrete, more associated with freeways and skyscrapers, is now being used in home rebuilding after the Palisades Fire.
Insurance companies offer discounts for using the non-combustible material.
Read about one homeowner's plans in my @laist.com story:
Insurance companies offer discounts for using the non-combustible material.
Read about one homeowner's plans in my @laist.com story:
Why some homeowners rebuilding from the Palisades Fire are choosing concrete
After their more typical wood-framed homes burned, some are now rebuilding with non-combustible materials. And they’re getting discounts from insurance companies.
laist.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Concrete, more associated with freeways and skyscrapers, is now being used in home rebuilding after the Palisades Fire.
Insurance companies offer discounts for using the non-combustible material.
Read about one homeowner's plans in my @laist.com story:
Insurance companies offer discounts for using the non-combustible material.
Read about one homeowner's plans in my @laist.com story:
How did an ‘implausible’ claim about jobs created by LA’s ‘mansion tax’ get cited by watchdogs?
Read the emails I unearthed through a public records request for this
@laist.com story:
Read the emails I unearthed through a public records request for this
@laist.com story:
How did an ‘implausible’ claim about jobs created by LA’s ‘mansion tax’ get cited by watchdogs?
A committee tasked with oversight of the city’s controversial tax said it has created 10,000 union construction jobs. LAist tracked down the claim’s origins.
laist.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:39 PM
How did an ‘implausible’ claim about jobs created by LA’s ‘mansion tax’ get cited by watchdogs?
Read the emails I unearthed through a public records request for this
@laist.com story:
Read the emails I unearthed through a public records request for this
@laist.com story:
Gov. Newsom has signed a law clarifying that landlords must clean debris from fires and other disasters.
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez said the bill was driven by tenant complaints and @laist.com's reporting on confusion over post-Eaton fire clean-up.
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez said the bill was driven by tenant complaints and @laist.com's reporting on confusion over post-Eaton fire clean-up.
Newsom signs law clarifying that landlords must clean fire debris
Local officials told renters they couldn’t force landlords to clean ash-covered homes. A new state law, inspired in part by LAist’s reporting, clarifies who’s responsible.
laist.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Gov. Newsom has signed a law clarifying that landlords must clean debris from fires and other disasters.
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez said the bill was driven by tenant complaints and @laist.com's reporting on confusion over post-Eaton fire clean-up.
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez said the bill was driven by tenant complaints and @laist.com's reporting on confusion over post-Eaton fire clean-up.
Gov. Newsom just signed SB 79, allowing denser housing near transit lines.
I'm re-posting my previous @laist.com story on how to find out if this major bill could bring new kinds of housing to your L.A. neighborhood.
I'm re-posting my previous @laist.com story on how to find out if this major bill could bring new kinds of housing to your L.A. neighborhood.
Would California’s big new housing bill affect your LA neighborhood? Use this map to find out
If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law, SB 79 will allow apartment buildings up to nine stories tall near major transit lines. Here’s how to find out if your block qualifies.
laist.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Gov. Newsom just signed SB 79, allowing denser housing near transit lines.
I'm re-posting my previous @laist.com story on how to find out if this major bill could bring new kinds of housing to your L.A. neighborhood.
I'm re-posting my previous @laist.com story on how to find out if this major bill could bring new kinds of housing to your L.A. neighborhood.
Hoping to boost new housing, cities across California have considered building code changes to let apartment buildings have just one staircase. But only Culver City has passed that guarantee.
Why did L.A. miss a key deadline? Find out in my @laist.com story:
Why did L.A. miss a key deadline? Find out in my @laist.com story:
Many CA cities wanted to build more housing by eliminating stair requirements. Only Culver City got it done
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
laist.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Hoping to boost new housing, cities across California have considered building code changes to let apartment buildings have just one staircase. But only Culver City has passed that guarantee.
Why did L.A. miss a key deadline? Find out in my @laist.com story:
Why did L.A. miss a key deadline? Find out in my @laist.com story:
The days of L.A. landlords telling renters to bring their own fridge are numbered.
Here's my @laist.com story on the bill Gov. Newsom just signed requiring working refrigerators in California rental housing.
Here's my @laist.com story on the bill Gov. Newsom just signed requiring working refrigerators in California rental housing.
No fridge? No more. Newsom signs bill requiring apartment landlords to supply appliances
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
laist.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
The days of L.A. landlords telling renters to bring their own fridge are numbered.
Here's my @laist.com story on the bill Gov. Newsom just signed requiring working refrigerators in California rental housing.
Here's my @laist.com story on the bill Gov. Newsom just signed requiring working refrigerators in California rental housing.
L.A.'s notorious refrigerator-less apartments will soon be illegal.
Gov. Newsom just signed AB 628, a bill requiring all landlords to provide tenants with a working fridge and stove starting next year.
Here's my previous @laist.com story on this bill: laist.com/news/housing...
Gov. Newsom just signed AB 628, a bill requiring all landlords to provide tenants with a working fridge and stove starting next year.
Here's my previous @laist.com story on this bill: laist.com/news/housing...
BYO-fridge? New bill aims to ban LA’s refrigerator-less apartments
Why do so many L.A. landlords make renters bring their own refrigerators? An Inglewood state assemblymember is seeking to stop the practice.
laist.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
L.A.'s notorious refrigerator-less apartments will soon be illegal.
Gov. Newsom just signed AB 628, a bill requiring all landlords to provide tenants with a working fridge and stove starting next year.
Here's my previous @laist.com story on this bill: laist.com/news/housing...
Gov. Newsom just signed AB 628, a bill requiring all landlords to provide tenants with a working fridge and stove starting next year.
Here's my previous @laist.com story on this bill: laist.com/news/housing...
I'll be joining LAist's Airtalk at 10:05 a.m. to discuss a new attempt at changing L.A. rent control limits.
The caps on annual rent hikes cover 42% of the city's households. They haven't been updated in 40 years.
Tune in! 89.3 FM or LAist.com/listen
The caps on annual rent hikes cover 42% of the city's households. They haven't been updated in 40 years.
Tune in! 89.3 FM or LAist.com/listen
LA takes up rent control reforms that could lower annual hikes. What you need to know
The discussions this week kicked off 380 days after a critical report came out. It's been 40 years since the formula that determines rent hikes in most L.A. apartments was last updated.
laist.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I'll be joining LAist's Airtalk at 10:05 a.m. to discuss a new attempt at changing L.A. rent control limits.
The caps on annual rent hikes cover 42% of the city's households. They haven't been updated in 40 years.
Tune in! 89.3 FM or LAist.com/listen
The caps on annual rent hikes cover 42% of the city's households. They haven't been updated in 40 years.
Tune in! 89.3 FM or LAist.com/listen
L.A.'s rent control formula hasn't been updated in 40 years.
Now, the city council is discussing reforms that could lower annual rent hikes from the current maximum of 10% to 5%... or less if tenant advocates prevail.
Get the full story at @laist.com:
Now, the city council is discussing reforms that could lower annual rent hikes from the current maximum of 10% to 5%... or less if tenant advocates prevail.
Get the full story at @laist.com:
LA takes up rent control reform, one year after recommendations came out
The formula that determines rent hikes in most L.A. apartments hasn’t been updated in 40 years. Now, those increases could be significantly lowered.
laist.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:39 PM
L.A.'s rent control formula hasn't been updated in 40 years.
Now, the city council is discussing reforms that could lower annual rent hikes from the current maximum of 10% to 5%... or less if tenant advocates prevail.
Get the full story at @laist.com:
Now, the city council is discussing reforms that could lower annual rent hikes from the current maximum of 10% to 5%... or less if tenant advocates prevail.
Get the full story at @laist.com:
Would California’s big new housing bill affect your LA neighborhood? Use this map to find out.
Would California’s big new housing bill affect your LA neighborhood? Use this map to find out
If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs it into law, SB 79 will allow apartment buildings up to nine stories tall near major transit lines. Here’s how to find out if your block qualifies.
laist.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Would California’s big new housing bill affect your LA neighborhood? Use this map to find out.
Almost 8.5 months after the Eaton Fire, L.A. County has now agreed to enforce toxic ash cleanup standards in Altadena as part of a legal settlement with tenants announced this week. A case against Pasadena is ongoing.
Get the details in my @laist.com story:
Get the details in my @laist.com story:
Renters who sued LA County over lack of Eaton Fire ash cleanup secure settlement
County agrees to enforce cleaning in Altadena apartments. Tenants say it may be too late to help some but could establish clear rules in future fires.
laist.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Almost 8.5 months after the Eaton Fire, L.A. County has now agreed to enforce toxic ash cleanup standards in Altadena as part of a legal settlement with tenants announced this week. A case against Pasadena is ongoing.
Get the details in my @laist.com story:
Get the details in my @laist.com story:
First for the pandemic. Then for fires. Next, for ICE raids?
L.A. County considers reviving COVID-era eviction policy to aid immigrant renters. Details in my @laist.com story:
L.A. County considers reviving COVID-era eviction policy to aid immigrant renters. Details in my @laist.com story:
LA County considers reviving COVID-era eviction policy to aid immigrant renters
As many immigrant families struggle to pay rent, county leaders ask: Is another eviction moratorium the solution?
laist.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM
First for the pandemic. Then for fires. Next, for ICE raids?
L.A. County considers reviving COVID-era eviction policy to aid immigrant renters. Details in my @laist.com story:
L.A. County considers reviving COVID-era eviction policy to aid immigrant renters. Details in my @laist.com story:
Following an uproar about plans for denser housing in areas rebuilding from fires, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass banned duplexes in the Pacific Palisades.
But in Altadena, county leaders are taking a different approach. Find out why in my @laist.com story:
But in Altadena, county leaders are taking a different approach. Find out why in my @laist.com story:
Duplexes are now banned in post-fire Palisades. Here’s why they’re still allowed in Altadena
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
laist.com
September 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Following an uproar about plans for denser housing in areas rebuilding from fires, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass banned duplexes in the Pacific Palisades.
But in Altadena, county leaders are taking a different approach. Find out why in my @laist.com story:
But in Altadena, county leaders are taking a different approach. Find out why in my @laist.com story: