Housing

A person stands confidently in front of a red brick building, hands resting in their pockets. They are wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, with a determined expression as they look into the distance, sunlight highlighting their face. The building's arched windows and textured facade form an urban backdrop

Housing

She fights for affordable housing in the Inland Empire. Now she’s fighting to keep a roof over her head

For years Laurel LaMont has fought for better options for what she calls the “missing middle,” often referred to as workforce housing. Now she is being evicted.

By

Deborah Brennan

• October 30, 2024

Protestors hold up a banner saying "Vote yes for rent control November 5!" as they lead a march down a sidewalk near a building.

Housing

These cities could see big changes in rent control if Prop. 33 passes

As voters weigh whether to allow local governments to expand rent control, elected officials in San Francisco and Los Angeles have already shown interest in doing so. In other cities, local laws could automatically cap annual rent increases on some single-family homes and newer apartment buildings if Prop. 33 passes.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 29, 2024

A person wearing a pink leopard-patterned head wrap stands in front of a sidewalk with tents of homeless residents as her arms rest on her back.

Homelessness

LA has a different solution to homeless camps. But it’s not working for everyone

After a “chaotic” start, LA’s effort to clear homeless camps is making progress. But problems remain.

By

Marisa Kendall

• October 28, 2024

A collage style illustration in orange, light blue, yellow, purple and black tones with various cut out images including: screenshots of advertisement against and in support of Proposition 33, hands holding signs with a check and x marks, different housing buildings, an envelope and an "I Voted" sticker.

Housing

We fact-checked the ads about Proposition 33, California’s rent control ballot measure.

The Yes and No on 33 campaigns have collectively spent more than $140 million. CalMatters fact checked some of the more pervasive claims made by both sides.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 18, 2024

Housing in a planned neighborhood off of 580 near Tracy

Explainers

Californians: Here’s why your housing costs are so high

Half the state's households struggle to afford the roof over their heads. Here’s what you need to know about one of California’s most vexing issues.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Manuela Tobias

• October 15, 2024

Luke Johnson and husband Osbey Jackson stand in the kitchen of their home. Jackson rests his hand on a kitchen stove, and Johnson leans back on a chair next to a kitchen table. The home is decorated with photos and pots and pans hang over the stove.

Housing

California pledged $500 million to help tenants preserve affordable housing. They didn’t get a dime.

California allotted half a billion dollars to help community land trusts across the state. But budget cuts and bureaucracy have land trust advocates back where they were in 2020: seeking state aid to preserve affordable housing.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 10, 2024

Tents line the curb at a homeless encampment in the Rampart Village neighborhood of Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2021. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr./CalMatters

Homelessness

LA County voters face huge decision on homeless services funding

In Los Angeles County, where more than 75,000 people have nowhere to call home, voters will decide whether to tax themselves to help get people off the street.

By

Marisa Kendall

• October 8, 2024

Flanked by state and local politicians, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state's plan to address homelessness across the state at Cal Expo in Sacramento, on March 16, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Housing

‘Beyond cruel’: Newsom retaliates against this LA suburb for its ban on homeless shelters

The mayor of Norwalk said the city enacted its far-reaching ban on shelters and other low-income housing and businesses out of frustration with the state.

By

Felicia Mello

• October 3, 2024

Homelessness

Late payments to nonprofits hamper California’s fight against homelessness

Homeless service providers are scaling back and taking out loans as they wait for late payments from the government.

By

Marisa Kendall

• October 1, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, wearing a tan blazer and black shirt, stands behind a podium with as hundreds of supporters stand behind her, waving signs with her name at a campaign rally.

Elections

Gavin Newsom has not solved California’s housing crisis. Three lessons for Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris pledges to build 3 million affordable homes and apartments in her first term as president, but Gov. Newsom has fallen short on a similar campaign promise in California. What lessons can she learn?

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 25, 2024