Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

The most controversial and highly publicized state housing bill in recent memory has died. In an emergency version of the pod, Matt and Liam walk you through the reasons SB 827 failed to get through its first committee hearing, and where legislation like it could go in the future.

Matt and Liam delve into one aspect of California's housing crisis that doesn't receive much attention: the shortage of construction labor to build the houses the state so desperately needs. An avocado of the fortnight (2:15) first takes us to Orange County, where the question of where to shelter the region's growing homeless population has provoked some interesting reactions from local political leaders. Then a discussion of why the construction labor shortage hasn't received a ton of attention (7:00), some of the reasons for the shortage they've heard (12:00), and the politics of prevailing wage (14:00). Then an interview with Sacramento-area homebuilder Rachel Bardis on how she sees the labor shortage impacts the work she does (23:00), followed by an interview with Alex Lantsberg, an analyst for the San Francisco electricians' union (41:30).

Note: We know we say Alex is our first guess on the podcast, but it's Rachel.

Here are links to a couple articles we reference

On the power of the state construction workers' union and prevailing wage: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-construction-workers-housing-20170512-htmlstory.html

On the changing demographics of the construction industry in Los Angeles: http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-construction-trump/

The hottest piece of housing legislation in the country is not being received well by many low-income communities of color. Matt and Liam explore the politics and policy of SB 827, this time from an equity angle. First, a "Number of the Fortnight" brought to you by all-cash buyers of single family homes (2:30). For the "Avocado of the Fortnight", Matt and Liam then review the objectively hilarious memes coming from one opponent of SB 827 (6:00). Then some tough questions: Is the media attention on SB 827 good or bad (13:00), what's actually in the bill (16:00), was anti-gentrification groups' opposition to the bill politically avoidable (23:00), and will the bill make it past a key committee chairman (26:00). Then, interviews with Cynthia Strathmann, executive director of an anti-displacement group in south Los Angeles (31:00), and Brian Hanlon, executive director of California Yes In My Backyard and sponsor of SB 827 (50:30).

Here are some of the memes, for your viewing pleasure:

https://twitter.com/SaveMarinwood/status/976536870237556736

https://twitter.com/SaveMarinwood/status/976264771077943296

https://twitter.com/SaveMarinwood/status/974434015162769408

https://twitter.com/dillonliam/status/974439630945714176

Matt and Liam set up a "meet the podcast guys" booth at the Housing California conference, the state's largest annual gathering of affordable housing advocates. They award an Avocado of the Fortnight to two leading gubernatorial candidates for evading some basic questions on their housing plans (2:00). Then they chat about California's rising number of people experiencing homelessness (10:40), why state money to confront the problem has been caught up in the courts (14:50), and the fate of two new funding proposals this legislative session (19:00). Finally, interviews with a trio of homelessness advocates and providers from across the state: Ann English, who works on supportive housing issues in Los Angeles (22:00); Laura Guzman, who had worked for over two decades on homelessness in the Bay Area (33:00); and Stephen Russel, an affordable housing advocate in San Diego.

State legislators are trying to revive redevelopment, the controversial "urban renewal" program that provided a major source of affordable housing funding before its elimination seven years ago. Matt and Liam explore how redevelopment worked and didn't work, and what redevelopment 2.0 might look like. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight is awarded to the City of Beverly Hills for meeting its affordable housing requirement--all three units of it (4:45). Then an explanation of what redevelopment was and why it went away (12:00), as well as what political waters legislators will have to navigate to revive the program (22:00). Finally, an interview with Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, on his role as state senate leader during redevelopment's demise (28:30) and broader housing issues confronting Sacramento (homelessness, rent control, Bay Area rent refugees).

If California is going to meet its ambitious climate change goals, it will have to solve its housing crisis. In the wake of the California Sierra Club's opposition to SB 827, Matt and Liam devote the hour to the intersection of environmental and housing issues. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight (3:20) is awarded to Gov. Brown's State of the State address. Then, Liam and Matt discuss the housing leg in the three-legged stool of greenhouse gas reduction (9:00), the ideological divide among environmental groups on housing(13:45), and the debate over SB 827 (18:30). Finally, an interview with Ethan Elkind, director of the climate program at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment at UC Berkeley Law.

Expanded rent control won't be coming to your city anytime soon--at least via the state legislature. Matt and Liam discuss why the repeal of Costa-Hawkins died at a dramatic Assembly hearing last week. First, Liam flags some other major housing bills you should keep an eye on (2:45). Then, an Avocado of the Week where in the middle of a hearing on rent control a legislator admits he doesn't know a key law affecting landlords and tenants (6:40). Matt and Liam then recap the drama of the hearing (9:40), including the charged atmosphere, why certain Democrats voted no, and whether there was a compromise to be had. Then, an in-studio interview (with good sound quality!) with Asm. David Chiu from San Francisco, head of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee (30:00).

Special thanks to our friends at Capital Public Radio for allowing us to record the interview in their facilities.

The Gimme Shelter year-end holiday spectacular. First, Matt and Liam submit their nominations for "Avocado of the Year", that story which most distills the absurdity of CA housing in 2017(2:00). Then, a quick preview of the GOP tax plan and its possible CA fallout (8:30). Liam and Matt predict the major housing storylines of 2018, starting with new CA legislative leadership (16:00) and the political dominoes falling after San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's death (19:30). Finally, an interview with a native Californian who actually recently bought a house! (38:00).

Matt and Liam discuss the potentially massive consequences of federal tax reform on California's housing woes. First, an avocado of the week poses the question of whether it's easier to build a basketball arena or reform California environmental regulations (5:00). Then, a deep dive into the federal tax plan, touching the fates of the low income housing tax credit (18:00) and the mortgage interest deduction (28:00). Finally, an interview with Mary Murtagh, a nonprofit affordable housing developer whose projects are already imperiled by tax reform.

A simple question, a complicated answer. Ahead of a possible 2018 ballot initiative that could dramatically expand rent control, Matt and Liam explain who benefits and who loses under economists' least favorite housing policy. First, a legendary avocado of the week (4:00) is awarded to a Sonoma County Supervisor's comments on how to rebuild Santa Rosa. Then, Matt Matt-splains a groundbreaking new Stanford study on rent control in San Francisco (10:30) and tries not to bore Liam too much. Finally, an interview with Michael Weinstein of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the organization spearheading a 2018 ballot initiative to expand CA rent control.