Matt Levin

Economy

For aging California, is the future Florida?

California is getting old. Within a decade, more than 20% of the state’s residents will be seniors -- a higher proportion than currently resides in Florida, a state famous for its large population of snowbird retirees.

By Matt Levin • April 29, 2019

Capitol

State rent-gouging bill advances, but still no action on tighter rent control

A bill aimed at protecting California tenants from “egregious” rent hikes cleared a key hurdle in the state Legislature today, less than 24 hours after pro-tenant groups learned their latest try to expand tighter rent controls throughout California is flailing in the Capitol.

By Matt Levin • April 25, 2019

Capitol

California’s hottest housing bill moves ahead—with a break for smaller counties

A controversial bill that would force California cities to allow denser housing around public transit cleared a major hurdle, but only after its sponsor agreed to go easier on smaller-sized counties.

By Matt Levin • April 24, 2019

Housing

Will rent control and other tenant bills get through the Capitol this time?

Please subscribe to the Gimme Shelter podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play, Spotify or Overcast. Ready for another fight over rent control? Six months after a statewide initiative that could have expanded rent control across California was rejected overwhelmingly at the polls, a group of progressive state lawmakers are back with a suite of pro-tenant legislation […]

By Matt Levin • April 19, 2019

Politics

Lawmakers and landlords: More than a quarter of California legislators are both

A CALmatters analysis reveals that at least 30 lawmakers—more than a quarter of the California Legislature— own at least one property that generates rental income.

By Elizabeth Castillo and Matt Levin • April 16, 2019

Housing

Are in-law units the secret solution to the state’s housing shortage?

California lawmakers have pitched dozens of bold, high-profile solutions to California's affordable housing shortage. But for all the big-picture housing legislation that has actually become law over the past few years, so far the solution that's proved most immediately effective at providing new housing has been rather small in size: Accessory Dwelling Units, colloquially known as in-law units or granny flats.

By Matt Levin • April 4, 2019

Capitol

A state lawmaker borrowed nearly a half-million dollars to buy a home. You might have voted for her lender.

Former U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez loaned state Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva $430,000 to buy a house in Orange County—an arrangement that some legal experts labeled unusual, but that both politicians said was not improper and resulted from their friendship.

By Matt Levin • March 26, 2019

Housing

San Diego’s mayor explains why he became a “YIMBY”

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has a message for his fellow California Republicans when it comes to grappling with the state's housing crisis: Embrace more development.

By Matt Levin • March 14, 2019

Economy

If California pursues a cap on rent increases, how many tenants will it actually help?

Legislators who have backed rent control expansions in the past say they’re working on proposals to help tenants stay in their homes. One possible compromise: A bill to ban “rent gouging,” similar to one poised to take effect in Oregon.

By Matt Levin • February 22, 2019

Housing

Does “upzoning”—allowing taller, denser housing to be built—actually work?

A new, highly publicized study from a doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology casts doubt on whether "upzoning" actually results in more construction and lower housing prices.

By Matt Levin • February 22, 2019

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