Liam Dillon
@liamjdillon.com
Covering housing in Los Angeles and California for POLITICO.
The state of California owns dozens of empty houses in Los Angeles County. It's spent more than $17 million since 2020 on private security and extra police patrols to guard them from protestors and keep them vacant. My first byline for @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
California owns dozens of vacant houses in Los Angeles County. It's paying millions to guard them from protesters.
The California Department of Transportation has spent more than $17 million since 2020 to guard the homes, which it purchased to make way for a freeway that was never completed.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The state of California owns dozens of empty houses in Los Angeles County. It's spent more than $17 million since 2020 on private security and extra police patrols to guard them from protestors and keep them vacant. My first byline for @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Interesting assessment of the state of affairs in California's home insurance market. The liability of the state FAIR plan — insurer of last resort — "is now nearly $700 billion, more than double the level two years ago." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: Insurers flee wildfire-prone California despite state assistance
Regulations to enable large rate increases contrast with other state efforts to stabilize insurance markets.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Interesting assessment of the state of affairs in California's home insurance market. The liability of the state FAIR plan — insurer of last resort — "is now nearly $700 billion, more than double the level two years ago." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Why it takes so long to rebuild after major wildfires and why it's all the more important as California continues in the middle of its most destructive era of wildfire in state history.
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Why the road to rebuilding homes after fires is complicated
A Los Angeles Times analysis finds just 38% of homes have been rebuilt after some of the most destructive fires in California history.
www.wbur.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Why it takes so long to rebuild after major wildfires and why it's all the more important as California continues in the middle of its most destructive era of wildfire in state history.
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Today's my first day @politico.com! I'm writing about rebuilding in Los Angeles and housing issues across California. You can reach me here or at ldillon@politico.com.
October 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Today's my first day @politico.com! I'm writing about rebuilding in Los Angeles and housing issues across California. You can reach me here or at ldillon@politico.com.
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Business Insider wrote up a story on how some of their past investigative work led to a new California law. The story is strangely unbylined.
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
California enacts law to prevent sexual abuse in K-12 schools following Business Insider investigation
The new legislation comes after a 2023 Business Insider investigation into sexual misconduct at a California high school.
www.businessinsider.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Business Insider wrote up a story on how some of their past investigative work led to a new California law. The story is strangely unbylined.
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
So very excited to share that I’ll be writing about housing in Los Angeles and across California for Politico www.politico.com/blogs/politi...
POLITICO Expands California Coverage with New Housing Beat, Welcomes Veteran Reporter Liam Dillon
www.politico.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
So very excited to share that I’ll be writing about housing in Los Angeles and across California for Politico www.politico.com/blogs/politi...
We're living in the worst era of wildfire in California history. My colleagues and I found that an astounding 22,500 homes burned down in the five most destructive fires in the state from 2017 through 2020. Just 38% of them have been rebuilt. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
22,500 homes lost. Over five years later, only 38% rebuilt: What California fire survivors face
Just 38% of the 22,500 homes burned down in California's five most destructive wildfires from 2017 to 2020 have been rebuilt, The Times found.
www.latimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:59 PM
We're living in the worst era of wildfire in California history. My colleagues and I found that an astounding 22,500 homes burned down in the five most destructive fires in the state from 2017 through 2020. Just 38% of them have been rebuilt. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After nearly 10 years, today is my last day at the @latimes.com. I'm so grateful to have worked with so many talented people. Please be on the lookout for one more big story soon!
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
September 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
After nearly 10 years, today is my last day at the @latimes.com. I'm so grateful to have worked with so many talented people. Please be on the lookout for one more big story soon!
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
Reposted by Liam Dillon
California lawmakers pass SB 79, housing bill that brings dense housing to transit hubs
California lawmakers pass SB 79, housing bill that brings dense housing to transit hubs
After months of debate, California lawmakers on Friday passed SB 79, a housing bill that overrides local zoning laws to bring high-density housing up to nine stories tall to transit hubs.
www.latimes.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:57 PM
California lawmakers pass SB 79, housing bill that brings dense housing to transit hubs
Reposted by Liam Dillon
A bill proposed Monday night, just days before the end of the legislative session, would punch a very small hole in a landmark housing law passed earlier this year that appears to apply to one (1) proposed apartment building in the incoming Senate leader's district.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
This last-minute deal could stymie a new Santa Barbara apartment building
The 270-unit is proposed behind the city’s historic Mission, and in the district of incoming Senate president Monique Limón.
calmatters.org
September 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A bill proposed Monday night, just days before the end of the legislative session, would punch a very small hole in a landmark housing law passed earlier this year that appears to apply to one (1) proposed apartment building in the incoming Senate leader's district.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
All time epic Dodgers collapse. Wow
September 7, 2025 at 2:12 AM
All time epic Dodgers collapse. Wow
Reposted by Liam Dillon
The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to pay $500,000 to two journalists who claim their rights were violated four years ago, when police arrested them as they covered a protest in Echo Park.
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
L.A. agrees to pay $500,000 to reporters arrested at 2021 Echo Park protest
The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to a settlement with two Knock LA journalists who claim their constitutional rights were violated when police arrested them while covering a protest four...
www.latimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to pay $500,000 to two journalists who claim their rights were violated four years ago, when police arrested them as they covered a protest in Echo Park.
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Fascinated by the reaction in Pacific Palisades to duplexes vs. casitas.
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is restricting duplex construction in Pacific Palisades after an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to weaken a state housing law. But despite fears of greater density...
www.latimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Fascinated by the reaction in Pacific Palisades to duplexes vs. casitas.
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
A new milestone in Pacific Palisades this week. 500 homeowners have applied for rebuilding permits after January's wildfire. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is restricting duplex construction in Pacific Palisades following an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to weaken state housing law. But despite fears of greater densi...
www.latimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:20 AM
A new milestone in Pacific Palisades this week. 500 homeowners have applied for rebuilding permits after January's wildfire. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
A flurry of action from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the last few days has led to a ban on new duplex construction in Pacific Palisades.
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is restricting duplex construction in Pacific Palisades following an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to weaken state housing law. But despite fears of greater densi...
www.latimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:06 AM
A flurry of action from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the last few days has led to a ban on new duplex construction in Pacific Palisades.
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After a push from L.A. elected officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to issue an executive order weakening the state’s landmark duplex law in wildfire affected regions of the county www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After push from L.A., Newsom plans to weaken state duplex law in wildfire areas
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom intends to weaken Senate Bill 9, which allows for as many as four homes on single-family lots, in wildfire affected communities. This week, L.A. City Councilmember Trac...
www.latimes.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:44 AM
After a push from L.A. elected officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to issue an executive order weakening the state’s landmark duplex law in wildfire affected regions of the county www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Have CA’s environmental protections been blocking new housing — and therefore climate progress?
On this week’s Boiling Point podcast, I’m talking “abundance” & CEQA reform with my @latimes.com colleague @liamjdillon.com. Please listen before firing off your take: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
On this week’s Boiling Point podcast, I’m talking “abundance” & CEQA reform with my @latimes.com colleague @liamjdillon.com. Please listen before firing off your take: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Abundance, Part 1: Are Environmental Protections Blocking Housing?
Podcast Episode · Boiling Point · 07/24/2025 · 39m
podcasts.apple.com
July 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Have CA’s environmental protections been blocking new housing — and therefore climate progress?
On this week’s Boiling Point podcast, I’m talking “abundance” & CEQA reform with my @latimes.com colleague @liamjdillon.com. Please listen before firing off your take: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
On this week’s Boiling Point podcast, I’m talking “abundance” & CEQA reform with my @latimes.com colleague @liamjdillon.com. Please listen before firing off your take: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Powerful and devastating work from @brittnymejia.bsky.social
Deaf, mute and terrified: ICE arrests DACA recipient and ships him to Texas www.latimes.com/california/s...
Deaf, mute and terrified: ICE arrests DACA recipient and ships him to Texas www.latimes.com/california/s...
Deaf, mute and terrified: ICE arrests DACA recipient and ships him to Texas
Javier Diaz Santana, who is deaf and communicates using sign language, was swept up in a federal immigration raid at his job in Temple City. He could not communicate in handcuffs. His attorney says U....
www.latimes.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Powerful and devastating work from @brittnymejia.bsky.social
Deaf, mute and terrified: ICE arrests DACA recipient and ships him to Texas www.latimes.com/california/s...
Deaf, mute and terrified: ICE arrests DACA recipient and ships him to Texas www.latimes.com/california/s...
A 70-year-old housing activist who seized a state-owned home in Los Angeles more than five years ago died this week after apparently falling from a 28-foot-high treehouse he built in the backyard in an attempt to block his eviction. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Housing activist who 'reclaimed' state-owned home dies amid eviction protest
Benito Flores, 70, was found dead Friday in the backyard of his state-owned home. Supporters say he fell from a tree house he was using to protest his eviction.
www.latimes.com
July 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A 70-year-old housing activist who seized a state-owned home in Los Angeles more than five years ago died this week after apparently falling from a 28-foot-high treehouse he built in the backyard in an attempt to block his eviction. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Total nightmare fuel about the decaying media landscape on public policy. Reality show stars with 2m followers using AI to spread misinformation; anonymous but verified X accounts called HustleBitch with 124k followers spreading conspiracies; fact-based media failing www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Conspiracy theories thwart rebuilding plan after L.A. County wildfires
After a social media firestorm based on misinformation, a proposal to create a new housing authority to help rebuild after January's wildfires fails to pass in the state Legislature.
www.latimes.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Total nightmare fuel about the decaying media landscape on public policy. Reality show stars with 2m followers using AI to spread misinformation; anonymous but verified X accounts called HustleBitch with 124k followers spreading conspiracies; fact-based media failing www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
A good reminder that California's affordable housing regime requires PLANNING for low-income housing and not CONSTRUCTION of low-income housing. (Obviously, some reasonable reasons for this, but for all the heat that housing element conversations get they don't mean housing gets built.)
July 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
A good reminder that California's affordable housing regime requires PLANNING for low-income housing and not CONSTRUCTION of low-income housing. (Obviously, some reasonable reasons for this, but for all the heat that housing element conversations get they don't mean housing gets built.)
Reposted by Liam Dillon
What's the impact of the big new CEQA changes? We discuss @stateofthebay.bsky.social 6pm PT w/@liamjdillon.com, @cselmendorf.bsky.social & Kim Delfino
+ federal tax bill's impact on CA health coverage
+ novelist Leila Mottley
Tune in/stream live @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
+ federal tax bill's impact on CA health coverage
+ novelist Leila Mottley
Tune in/stream live @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
Healthcare Cuts Threaten Covered California / CEQA Reform and the Future of Housing / Oakland's Leila Mottley on 'The Girls Who Grew Big'
State of the Bay examines the impact of federal healthcare cuts on Covered California, breaks down California’s new CEQA reforms, and talks with Oakland author Leila Mottley about her new novel "The Girls Who Grew Big."
www.kalw.org
July 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
What's the impact of the big new CEQA changes? We discuss @stateofthebay.bsky.social 6pm PT w/@liamjdillon.com, @cselmendorf.bsky.social & Kim Delfino
+ federal tax bill's impact on CA health coverage
+ novelist Leila Mottley
Tune in/stream live @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
+ federal tax bill's impact on CA health coverage
+ novelist Leila Mottley
Tune in/stream live @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/state-b...
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Support your local newspaper.
If you don’t live in California, you might be unaware of all the ICE mayhem. Here’s just part of the @latimes.com front page right now
July 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Support your local newspaper.
Reposted by Liam Dillon
July 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Every story is a housing story.
"James has been building his forever home on a hilltop in Beverly Hills for the past five years; it reportedly took him three years just to get all the permits."
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
"James has been building his forever home on a hilltop in Beverly Hills for the past five years; it reportedly took him three years just to get all the permits."
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
LeBron to Luka: Inside the most delicate superstar transition in NBA history
For months, publicly and privately, the Lakers have been signaling their desire to begin the Luka Doncic era in Los Angeles, even if it meant ending the LeBron James one.
www.espn.com
July 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Every story is a housing story.
"James has been building his forever home on a hilltop in Beverly Hills for the past five years; it reportedly took him three years just to get all the permits."
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
"James has been building his forever home on a hilltop in Beverly Hills for the past five years; it reportedly took him three years just to get all the permits."
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...