Matt Levin

Elections

Proposition 10: What to know about the rent control measure, in under a minute

On the November ballot, Californians will vote on Proposition 10, a measure to bring back rent control. Learn about the measure in our minute explainer.

By Matt Levin and Byrhonda Lyons • October 2, 2018

Housing

The state passed a major housing package last year. Is it working so far?

Key provisions of the state housing package have been in effect for about nine months now. That's far too soon for a definitive judgement, but long enough to discern some early trends. Here's what we know so far.

By Matt Levin • September 21, 2018

Housing

The Gimme Shelter one year anniversary spectacular

It's been one year of Matt and Liam talking about California's housing crisis. They reflect on the biggest stories of the past twelve months, and what they expect to be on the podcast in the year ahead.

By Matt Levin • September 13, 2018

Economy

Californians still really like Prop. 13—except for the big parts they don’t like

Voters will soon have a chance to touch the third rail of California politics. Here’s a breakdown of how broadly and deeply Californians love their cheap property taxes.

By Matt Levin • September 5, 2018

Economy

The Lebowski property tax break

On this week's Gimme Shelter, CALmatters' podcast on California's housing crisis, data reporter Matt Levin and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon talk about Liam's investigation into the unintended consequences of that 1986 initiative.

By Matt Levin • August 23, 2018

Economy

Prop. 13 could be partly undone in 2020—here’s what you should know

Advocates today submitted signatures to qualify a 2020 ballot initiative that would generate tens of billions of dollars for local and state governments by undoing part of California's landmark Prop. 13.

By Matt Levin • August 14, 2018

Economy

California’s poverty rate is getting better—except where it isn’t

California still has the nation’s highest poverty rate when you take into account the state’s high cost of living. But the number of people living in poverty here has dropped since the beginning of the decade.

By Matt Levin • August 13, 2018

Housing

Should Baby Boomers get a property tax break to move? The pros and cons of Prop. 5.

Would it be a merciful end to the "moving penalty" or a giveaway to rich homeowners and real estate agents? Proposition 5, which California voters will decide on this November, would allow homeowners age 55 and up to receive a major break on their property taxes when they move homes.

By Matt Levin • August 10, 2018

Housing

To fix its housing woes, should California look to Seattle?

Seattle has a lot in common with San Francisco. A thriving economy increasingly dominated by major technology companies. A deep blue electorate with a strong environmental ethos. And of course, a soaring cost of living that has made living in either city a prohibitively expensive proposition for many long-time residents. But Seattle has responded to its housing crisis much differently than its Bay Area counterpart: Seattle has built a lot more homes.

By Matt Levin • July 26, 2018

Housing

Fleeing war-torn homes for crippling rents—California housing costs creating harsh reality for refugees

California's skyrocketing housing costs have created a harsh new reality for refugees on the ground, many of whom are going to extraordinary lengths just to afford rent.

By Matt Levin • July 19, 2018

Matt Levin

Contact

Latest Stories