David Wagner
@dwagner.bsky.social
Reporter covering housing for @laist.com
Get in touch: dwagner@laist.com
Get in touch: dwagner@laist.com
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:
Well that fizzled fast...
State lawmakers have now shelved their efforts to reform L.A.'s "mansion tax." Mayor Bass said she asked State Senators to hold off and introduce an amended version of the bill next year.
Details in my @laist.com story:
State lawmakers have now shelved their efforts to reform L.A.'s "mansion tax." Mayor Bass said she asked State Senators to hold off and introduce an amended version of the bill next year.
Details in my @laist.com story:
September 11, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Well that fizzled fast...
State lawmakers have now shelved their efforts to reform L.A.'s "mansion tax." Mayor Bass said she asked State Senators to hold off and introduce an amended version of the bill next year.
Details in my @laist.com story:
State lawmakers have now shelved their efforts to reform L.A.'s "mansion tax." Mayor Bass said she asked State Senators to hold off and introduce an amended version of the bill next year.
Details in my @laist.com story:
BREAKING: California lawmakers are out with plans for new limits on the city of L.A.'s hotly debated "mansion tax."
This comes as signatures are being gathered for a potential 2026 ballot measure to throw out the tax.
Get the details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
This comes as signatures are being gathered for a potential 2026 ballot measure to throw out the tax.
Get the details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
State lawmakers unveil bill that would put new limits on LA’s hotly debated ‘mansion tax’
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
laist.com
September 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
BREAKING: California lawmakers are out with plans for new limits on the city of L.A.'s hotly debated "mansion tax."
This comes as signatures are being gathered for a potential 2026 ballot measure to throw out the tax.
Get the details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
This comes as signatures are being gathered for a potential 2026 ballot measure to throw out the tax.
Get the details in my @laist.com story: laist.com/news/housing...
L.A.'s lead provider of legal aid for struggling renters is now being audited by the L.A. City Attorney's Office.
The increased scrutiny comes after Hydee Feldstein Soto rejected a new contract for city-funded eviction defense and rent relief. My @laist.com story has details:
The increased scrutiny comes after Hydee Feldstein Soto rejected a new contract for city-funded eviction defense and rent relief. My @laist.com story has details:
After rejecting tenant-aid contract, LA city attorney launches audit of eviction-defense provider
Hydee Feldstein Soto said she wants to know if city funds helped tenants as intended. The tenant aid group says it's already complied with contract reporting requirements.
laist.com
August 16, 2025 at 12:05 AM
L.A.'s lead provider of legal aid for struggling renters is now being audited by the L.A. City Attorney's Office.
The increased scrutiny comes after Hydee Feldstein Soto rejected a new contract for city-funded eviction defense and rent relief. My @laist.com story has details:
The increased scrutiny comes after Hydee Feldstein Soto rejected a new contract for city-funded eviction defense and rent relief. My @laist.com story has details:
Some renters displaced by the Eaton Fire still haven't returned to their homes, because their landlords haven't removed toxic ash.
Now, more than seven months after the fire, L.A. County says it will order landlords to clean Altadena apartments. Details in my @laist.com story:
Now, more than seven months after the fire, L.A. County says it will order landlords to clean Altadena apartments. Details in my @laist.com story:
Seven months after LA fires, landlords will be ordered to clean smoke-damaged Altadena homes
After renters sued over alleged lack of enforcement, L.A. County has now clarified tenant rights and landlord responsibilities in smoke-damaged homes.
laist.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Some renters displaced by the Eaton Fire still haven't returned to their homes, because their landlords haven't removed toxic ash.
Now, more than seven months after the fire, L.A. County says it will order landlords to clean Altadena apartments. Details in my @laist.com story:
Now, more than seven months after the fire, L.A. County says it will order landlords to clean Altadena apartments. Details in my @laist.com story:
For @laist.com, Elly Yu reports on a troubling trend: Even as L.A. makes some progress on sheltering unhoused adults, the region is failing to stem the rise of homelessness among families with kids.
laist.com/news/educati...
laist.com/news/educati...
Homelessness is down in the LA region — but not for children and families
The estimated number of unsheltered children and teens under 18 in the county went up this year.
laist.com
August 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM
For @laist.com, Elly Yu reports on a troubling trend: Even as L.A. makes some progress on sheltering unhoused adults, the region is failing to stem the rise of homelessness among families with kids.
laist.com/news/educati...
laist.com/news/educati...
How many additional homes should be allowed in Altadena and the Palisades as homeowners start to rebuild?
Gov. Newsom plans to let L.A. suspend a state law allowing duplexes to replace single-family homes in burn zones. Get the details in my @laist.com story:
Gov. Newsom plans to let L.A. suspend a state law allowing duplexes to replace single-family homes in burn zones. Get the details in my @laist.com story:
Newsom plans to let LA suspend duplex projects in fire burn zones
Should Palisades and Altadena homeowners be able to build duplexes on their burned lots? Some state and local officials say no.
laist.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
How many additional homes should be allowed in Altadena and the Palisades as homeowners start to rebuild?
Gov. Newsom plans to let L.A. suspend a state law allowing duplexes to replace single-family homes in burn zones. Get the details in my @laist.com story:
Gov. Newsom plans to let L.A. suspend a state law allowing duplexes to replace single-family homes in burn zones. Get the details in my @laist.com story:
After federal immigration raids, L.A. families are losing income and struggling to make rent.
So far, cities have relied on private donors to fund cash assistance programs. Some renter advocates say local governments should dig deeper to help.
Read my @laist.com story for more:
So far, cities have relied on private donors to fund cash assistance programs. Some renter advocates say local governments should dig deeper to help.
Read my @laist.com story for more:
Cash-strapped LA cities ask private donors to help immigrants pay rent following ICE raids
Facing budget shortfalls, local governments are now asking philanthropists to help provide cash assistance and rent relief to families with detained workers.
laist.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
After federal immigration raids, L.A. families are losing income and struggling to make rent.
So far, cities have relied on private donors to fund cash assistance programs. Some renter advocates say local governments should dig deeper to help.
Read my @laist.com story for more:
So far, cities have relied on private donors to fund cash assistance programs. Some renter advocates say local governments should dig deeper to help.
Read my @laist.com story for more:
Despite thousands of listings that appear to have illegally raised rents since the January fires, L.A. County prosecutors have yet to file any charges.
Now, county leaders want a new approach to enforcement: fines of up to $1,000 per day. Read our @laist.com story for details:
Now, county leaders want a new approach to enforcement: fines of up to $1,000 per day. Read our @laist.com story for details:
Post-fire rent gouging charges have been rare, but LA County violators could soon be fined
The district attorney’s office has not filed any charges for post-fire price gouging. Now, county leaders want the ability to issue daily fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
laist.com
July 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Despite thousands of listings that appear to have illegally raised rents since the January fires, L.A. County prosecutors have yet to file any charges.
Now, county leaders want a new approach to enforcement: fines of up to $1,000 per day. Read our @laist.com story for details:
Now, county leaders want a new approach to enforcement: fines of up to $1,000 per day. Read our @laist.com story for details:
Reposted by David Wagner
“It's a real breach of trust when servicers have raised this expectation of giving certain disaster relief and then they're not offering it at a moment where these homeowners really don't need any more stress.”
laist.com/news/housing...
via @laist.com #housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
laist.com/news/housing...
via @laist.com #housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
After the LA fires, mortgage companies promised to give devastated homeowners a break. Some have not
Borrowers who lost homes tell LAist their banks are not following the rules of a state mortgage relief program. Some have been told they could face foreclosure.
laist.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“It's a real breach of trust when servicers have raised this expectation of giving certain disaster relief and then they're not offering it at a moment where these homeowners really don't need any more stress.”
laist.com/news/housing...
via @laist.com #housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
laist.com/news/housing...
via @laist.com #housing+ #urbanism+ #urbanism
After the L.A. fires, hundreds of mortgage companies said they would pause monthly payments for homeowners who lost everything. They promised to give people time to recover.
But some are now demanding borrowers pay up — or risk losing their properties. My story for
@laist.com:
But some are now demanding borrowers pay up — or risk losing their properties. My story for
@laist.com:
After the LA fires, mortgage companies promised to give devastated homeowners a break. Some have not
Borrowers who lost homes tell LAist their banks are not following the rules of a state mortgage relief program. Some have been told they could face foreclosure.
laist.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
After the L.A. fires, hundreds of mortgage companies said they would pause monthly payments for homeowners who lost everything. They promised to give people time to recover.
But some are now demanding borrowers pay up — or risk losing their properties. My story for
@laist.com:
But some are now demanding borrowers pay up — or risk losing their properties. My story for
@laist.com: