Last year, I visited housing activists all over California, asking them about the street-level impacts of gentrification and unfair, sky-high rents in their cities. We also talked about the powerful influence of the real estate …
It’s the First of the Month for California’s 17 Million Renters. Need Help?
It’s the first of the month for California’s 17 million renters. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom and local elected officials have been rolling out tenant protections, but it can get confusing. Luckily, …
Coronavirus Forces Politicians to Address Housing Affordability and Homelessness Crises
For years, activists and experts have been saying, repeatedly, that housing is not only a human right, but also a serious public health issue. That people need stable, affordable housing to maintain good health — …
Los Angeles City Council Meetings Cancelled, Surprising Activists
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez (pictured above) has cancelled council meetings for the rest of March, surprising activists seeking critical relief measures to help vulnerable residents. Activists are …
Coalition Urges Gov. Gavin Newsom To Protect Vulnerable Californians
With the coronavirus pandemic worsening, a statewide coalition of more than 140 organizations urges Gov. Gavin Newsom to implement more protective measures for vulnerable Californians. The coalition sent a letter to Newsom last week, and …
AHF Offers Emergency Facility For COVID-19 Patients; Applauds Newsom’s Response
Following a statewide call to action by Gov. Gavin Newsom, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is offering a building in Los Angeles—a 74-bed motel being repurposed as housing for the homeless—that AHF recently purchased, but has not yet …
Unfair Rents Are Slamming Fresno, Too
If there’s any doubt that middle- and working-class residents all over California need stronger renter protections, one should visit Fresno, and look up Grecia Elenes, the earnest, yet amiable senior policy advocate at the Leadership …
Corporate Landlords Behind Campaigns to Stop Rent Control in California
Corporate landlords are financing two campaigns to stop the Rental Affordability Act, the November 2020 ballot measure that expands rent control in California. Concerned that rent control will impact the outsized profits they’ve gained by …
California Housing Justice and Tenant Groups Oppose Scott Wiener’s SB 50
A statewide coalition of California housing justice and tenant rights groups have sent a letter to State Sen. Scott Wiener and the California Legislature, opposing Wiener’s land-use deregulation bill, SB 50. Those organizations include the Housing Rights …
Corporate Landlords Spend Big Cash to Stop California’s Rent Control Movement
It’s only January, and Big Real Estate is already shelling out major cash to stop California’s rent control movement. According to state filings, corporate landlords such as Essex Property Trust and UDR have so far …