Housing

California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks forward with a serious expression during a rally. People stand behind him holding blue and white signs that read “Defend Democracy” and “Election Bigotry Response Act.

Homelessness

A California city tried to ban homeless shelters. It’s giving up after Newsom’s lawsuit

Norwalk backed down from its ban on homeless shelters after Gov. Gavin Newsom sued the Southern California city. A Los Angeles judge must approve the settlement.

By Marisa Kendall • September 5, 2025

A bulldozer on the corner of 7th Street and Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica on May 24, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters

Housing

Breakthrough on California housing could put taller buildings in single-family neighborhoods

A powerful California construction union is no longer fighting a bill that would ease barriers to the construction of tall apartment buildings near train and bus stations.

By Ben Christopher • September 5, 2025

Mental Health

6 things to know about how Gov. Newsom’s CARE Court is working so far

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court was supposed to help the sickest people living on California’s streets. We took a look at data from around the state. Here’s what we found.

By Marisa Kendall, Jocelyn Wiener and Erica Yee • September 3, 2025

A worker in a reflective vest loads a dusty RV, marked with an orange X, onto a AAA tow truck during the Columbus Park sweep.

Homelessness

New enforcement targets people living in cars, RVs on California streets

Some cities are ramping up efforts to ticket and tow vehicles that shelter homeless Californians.

By Marisa Kendall • September 2, 2025

Mental Health

Newsom promised real progress on mental health with CARE Court. Here’s what the numbers show

In the most-comprehensive look yet at whether people are using Gov. Gavin Newsom's CARE Court, we found that far fewer Californians are enrolled in the mental health program than he projected.

By Marisa Kendall, Jocelyn Wiener and Erica Yee • September 2, 2025

A worker in a white protective suit and neon safety vest bends over to collect belongings at a street encampment. Cardboard pieces and a yellow tent are visible beside the railing, with city trucks and police nearby.

Homelessness

Gov. Newsom launches new task force to clear California homeless encampments

The task force, made up of six different state agencies, is the latest effort by the Newsom administration to remove homeless encampments from California’s streets.

By Marisa Kendall • August 29, 2025

A person wearing a black hat and shirt stands near a cash register behind the counter of the check-out section of a grocery store. Various merchandise items can be seen in the foreground and background.

Climate Change

Why California backed down from forcing landlords to keep residents cool

Lawmakers will again fail to set a safe indoor temperature standard for housing, as builders and tenant advocates battle over the cost of retrofits.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • August 29, 2025

A tattooed person in a trucker hat and red bandana covering their face plays guitar on a city street, while another person in a plaid shirt and jeans walks past. Behind them, tents, tarps, and piles of belongings line the sidewalk near a fenced industrial building.

Homelessness

California cities lack unified response on homeless encampments

When it comes to clearing homeless encampments, California cities are governed by a patchwork of very different policies.

By Marisa Kendall • August 21, 2025

Housing

Hidden in Trump’s spending package: A surprise boost to California’s affordable housing

Trump’s spending bill includes cuts to Medicaid, food assistance and more. But it also increases a federal tax credit that helps build affordable housing in California.

By Ben Christopher and Marisa Kendall • August 12, 2025

Construction workers are working on scaffolding on a five-story apartment building on a sunny day. On the ground floor, trucks and other construction tools can be seen parked near the building, and a construction worker is walking nearby in a hard hat.

Housing

California affordable housing programs are on the chopping block after Supreme Court ruling

Many California cities require homebuilders to create affordable housing or pay fees to support construction of those units. A new lawsuit contends those fees are unconstitutional.

By Ben Christopher • August 2, 2025