Housing

How much do California housing goals really mean?

In the latest episode of “Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast,” CalMatters’ Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times’ Liam Dillon explain why the state’s housing planning process has been ineffective and what the new penalties mean.

By

Manuela Tobias

• March 21, 2022

Students walk down Telegraph Avenue with the Den student apartments and Maximino Martinez Commons visible in the background on Feb. 3, 2022. Photo by Thalia Juarez for CalMatters

Housing

California housing crisis goes to college

Listen to the new episode of the California housing crisis podcast, featuring the debate at UC Berkeley over enrollment and environmental law.

By

Manuela Tobias

• March 4, 2022

Housing

How long are Californians waiting for rent relief?

A new study says that California has sent rent relief to only 16% of applicants, who are waiting months. The state disputes the analysis, but according to its figures, only 41% of applicants have been paid.

By

Manuela Tobias

• March 3, 2022

Sacramento firefighters respond to a fire at a homeless encampment under Highway 80 near 14th Street and X Street on Feb. 24, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Homelessness

California counted its homeless population, but can it track the money?

Volunteers fanned out across the state for the first statewide count of California’s homeless population since 2020. The number is expected to be higher, raising more questions about the impact of the state's increased spending.

By

Manuela Tobias

• March 2, 2022

A mountain lion wanders next to a home on Ethelbee Way in North Tustin as members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, OC Animal Care, and California Fish and Wildlife surround the neighborhood on Dec. 26, 2020. Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG

Housing

What do mountain lions have to do with California housing?

The new episode of the California housing crisis podcast spotlights local resistance against a new law allowing duplexes on single-family lots, including the town of Woodside's attempt to declare itself a mountain lion habitat.

By

Manuela Tobias

• February 16, 2022

Jackie Botts interviews Fernando Maya during a reporting trip about the California homless crisis on Nov. 17, 2021. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Homelessness

The people behind California’s plan to end chronic homelessness

In the new episode of "Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast," CalMatters' Manuela Tobias and the Los Angeles Times' Liam Dillon interview former homeless veteran Fernando Maya and Jackie Botts, who told his story for CalMatters.

By

Manuela Tobias

• February 2, 2022

A volunteer barber cuts an unhoused person's hair at Trinity Church in Riverside. Those who are unhoused come once a week to the church where they are offered haircuts, clothes, food and a shower. Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Economy

Will worker shortage disrupt California homeless strategy?

Burnout and COVID is causing California homeless service workers to leave. Low pay makes it difficult to recruit new ones. But they're essential to the state's plans to reduce homelessness.

By

Manuela Tobias

• January 27, 2022

Housing

What does new California housing leader want to do?

In the latest episode of the California housing crisis podcast, new Assembly Housing Committee chairperson Buffy Wicks talks about her priorities.

By

Manuela Tobias

• January 14, 2022

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

Newsom on homelessness: ‘We’ve gotta clean up those encampments’

In his budget proposal, Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted his support for cities to remove homeless encampments but conceded it's only a bridge to permanent housing.

By

Manuela Tobias

• January 11, 2022

Several new California laws will kick in for 2022. The state Capitol. Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Economy

Eleven new California laws for 2022, explained in one minute

The new year brings a raft of new laws for Californians. They’re likely to affect what your neighborhood looks like, how safe you feel, what recourse you have against discrimination — even how you take out your trash. In 2021 the Legislature’s super-majority of Democrats sent Gov. Gavin Newsom hundreds of bills that he signed […]

By

Byrhonda Lyons

and

CalMatters Staff

• December 28, 2021