Housing

The Plaza Apartments in downtown San Francisco. Multiple tenant protection bills face key votes next week.

Housing

Podcast: A million bucks to build one low-income housing unit

CalMatters housing and data reporter Matt Levin and the Los Angeles Times Liam Dillon discuss what can and can't be fixed about building affordable housing in California.

By Matt Levin • April 15, 2020

Cassie Gamboa, left, and Robert Romo, right, go into their new hotel room with Edwin Aviles, of Union Station Homeless Services on April 7, 2020. Photo by Michael Owen Baker courtesy of Los Angeles County

Housing

Here’s how putting California’s homeless in hotels actually works

State officials are trying to find hotel rooms for homeless Californians with COVID-19 or vulnerabilities, but say the logistics are daunting.

By Matt Levin • April 9, 2020

Housing

Nearly 900 placed into hotels, motels — a fraction of California’s homeless

California announces a cost-sharing project with FEMA to place thousands of vulnerable individuals in hotels and motels. Gov. Gavin Newsom also pledges to find a longer-term solution for the homeless.

By Matt Levin • April 3, 2020

Housing

Amid pandemic, some California sheriffs’ departments still evicting renters

Fresno performed 20 lockouts over past week and a half. Tenants groups say Gavin Newsom is to blame.

By Matt Levin • April 3, 2020

In a press conference following the first COVID-19 death in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom condemns price gauging on necessary medical and safety items such as hand sanitizer. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Housing

Podcast: Coronavirus and the housing crisis

CalMatters' Matt Levin and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon discuss how the state's housing woes are complicating California's response to the virus

By Matt Levin • March 30, 2020

A dorm at Embarcadero SAFE Navigation Center

Coronavirus

California is scrambling to house the homeless. Here’s how it’s playing out.

Shelters are reporting symptomatic residents. Officials worry about outbreaks in tent camps. State authorities are confronting questions of how to speed up help as much as possible.

By Matt Levin • March 26, 2020

Coronavirus

Banks agree to coronavirus mortgage relief in California amid push for eviction ban

California homeowners affected by coronavirus may be able to delay each month's mortgage payment by 90 days thanks to an agreement with major banks.

By Laurel Rosenhall • March 25, 2020

California Divide

Confusion spreads among homeless as officials fight coronavirus

As Fresno County scrambles to get its homeless population indoors during the coronavirus crisis, communication roadblocks are causing confusion.

By Manuela Tobias • March 20, 2020

A hand-sanitizing station at a homeless encampment near Oakland city hall. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Housing

COVID-19 and California’s housing crisis: 5 issues to watch

The pandemic collides with the state's homelessness and housing affordability woes.

By Matt Levin • March 19, 2020

The home that was illegally occupied by a group calling themselves "Moms 4 Housing" is photographed after they were evicted in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Photo by Doug Duran, Bay Area News Group

Coronavirus

Eviction lawsuits proceed in California despite relief for some tenants

The wheels of the eviction process are still turning in many parts of the state, and renters can remain subject to ejection for many reasons.

By Matt Levin and Nigel Duara • March 19, 2020