California Divide

Covering income inequality across the state

Families carry boxes full of fresh produce during a food bank event at El Verano elementary on Nov. 1, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state

How bad is California hunger? A lot depends on your access to food aid, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic but is being reduced.

Rya Jetha

Jeanne Kuang

and

Jeremia Kimelman

Isaias Hernandez, executive director of the Eastmont Community Center, helps a person with their taxes during a free tax preparation event at the Nakoak Community Center in Gardena on April 1, 2023. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

California bills to expand state tax credits could send $1 billion to low-income families

As pandemic relief dollars dwindle, low income families still need help recovering, advocates say. Two bills would expand California's earned income and young child tax credits for families making as much as $30,000.

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• April 19, 2023

Joseph Goni, the owner of Lerda-Goni Farms, looks at his flooded heifer pen on his farm on March 23, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

California’s farmers reeling as flooding wreaks havoc on dairy industry

After weeks of rain, the long-dry Tulare Lake is rising from the San Joaquin Valley floor, endangering farms, towns, livelihoods. Now record snow on the Sierra Nevada is melting. Will the Central Valley be ready?

Nicole Foy

• April 17, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

California Divide

Stockton guaranteed income study finds pandemic dampened positive results

A final study on Stockton’s famous experiment giving low-income residents unconditional cash found the money improved some recipients’ mental health and financial stability – but only during “normative” economic conditions.

Jeanne Kuang

• April 12, 2023

A "for sale" sign is posted in front of a home in Sacramento on March 3, 2022. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Housing

California approved $300 million in state-backed home loans. Who got the money?

California Democrats carved out the Dream for All money to help first-time buyers. The funds ran out after just 11 days with the average loan hitting $112,000.

Alejandro Lazo

and

Ben Christopher

• April 11, 2023

A Reparations Task Force Meeting at San Diego State on Jan. 28, 2023. Photo by Ariana Drehsler, CalMatters

California Divide

California’s reparations task force could face uphill battle in legislature

Few assembly members have pledged their support for monetary reparations for the descendants of formerly enslaved people. Public response is split.

Wendy Fry

• April 11, 2023

Amy and her adopted children inside their home in Pine Valley on Apr. 1, 2023. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters

California Divide

California child welfare agencies under fire for pocketing foster kids’ Social Security money

A California grandmother fights to retrieve $30,000 taken by San Diego County from her grandchildren's survivor benefits. Counties take millions of dollars in federal benefits from foster children, says a lawmaker trying to stop it.

Jeanne Kuang

• April 5, 2023

A kitchen staffer works behind the counter of a restaurant in Los Angeles on June 8, 2021. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

California workers can’t get timely hearings on wage theft claims. State orders audit.

It takes the state nearly 800 days — four times longer than is legal — to handle wage claims. Lawmakers ordered an audit to start Sept. 1, if agency issues aren’t addressed by then.

Alejandro Lazo

and

Jeanne Kuang

• March 22, 2023

A real estate sign in front of a home in the Tower District in central Fresno on June 28, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

California Divide

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

Gov. Newsom wants to spend $300 million the first year, which could help about 2,300 buyers. But home prices are falling and mortgage rates are rising, complicating the launch.

Alejandro Lazo

• March 22, 2023

Irma Cervantes at Atlantic Avenue Park in East Los Angeles on March 2, 2023. “It’s difficult to move because I do not have a job at the moment,” Cervantes said, who used to do janitorial work at the convention centers in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. “I just want to find a way to pay the rent without getting harassed.” Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

California Divide

Evictions rise, tenants scramble for help as LA County protections expire

L.A. County's tenant pandemic protections expire March 31. But already advocates predict a spike in evictions, as landlords seek financial recovery.

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• March 21, 2023

Jocelyn Gonzalez Fierros, a Chico State University student, at her residence in Chico on March 15, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

California Divide

California colleges rush to get more students on food assistance before pandemic rule ends

Most college students don’t qualify for CalFresh, California’s food stamps program, despite high rates of food insecurity. A pandemic-era rule that made it easier to get aid ends soon.

Jeanne Kuang

and

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• March 16, 2023