Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

Can Joe Biden fix California's housing crisis? No. Can he help? Maybe. In this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss the potential and limits of Biden's plans for homelessness, zoning reform, and affordable housing and how they'll impact California. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight gets some San Diego residents' blood boiling (2:00). Then some post-election hot takes on the two statewide housing propositions: rent control and property tax breaks for seniors (7:30). Finally, a back and forth about Biden's housing plans (17:00), followed by an interview with Carol Galante, faculty director with the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation and former Assistant Secretary for Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama administration. (30:00).

Note: We had some audio quality issues with this one, apologies. Next episode we should be back to our higher quality audio.

Podcast editing by Victor Figueroa http://www.vicfig.com/

Abigail Zoger teachers biology at Santa Rosa Junior College, cares about climate change and social justice issues and, like a lot of California voters, has questions about the complicated housing propositions on her ballot. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam try to answer those questions to help make Abigail more informed about her vote. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight asks WWJD about a homeless person on a park bench (3:00)? Then Abigail gets her questions (mostly) answered about the rent control initiative (Prop 21) and the portable property tax breaks initiative (Prop 19) (6:30). Finally, interviews with Sara Kimberlin, policy analyst with the California Budget and Policy Center (35:00), and David Wolfe, consultant with the "Yes on Prop 19" campaign (48:00).

Editing by Victor Figueroa: http://www.vicfig.com/

For the second straight general election, Californians will have the opportunity to vote on a statewide rent control initiative. Matt and Liam discuss the politics and policy of Prop 21, which would allow cities to apply rent control to more housing units. First, the Avocado of the Fortnight takes us to 19th century Russia (2:20). Then a discussion of the history and future of Prop. 21 (8:30). Finally, interviews with Steve Maviglio, spokesperson for the "No on 21" campaign (27:30), and Rene Moya, campaign director for the "Yes" campaign (43:00).

Massive wildfires are yet again threatening California homes. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss how the rising scope and severity of wildfires is exacerbating the state's housing crisis and resurfacing a thorny question: Should we rebuild in areas prone to fire threats? First, an Avocado of the Fortnight exposes how little Matt and Liam know about Westeros' setback requirements (3:20). Then a discussion of the state's most recent spate of record wildfires and what it means for the state's housing goals (6:00). Finally, an interview with Seana O'Shaughnessy, CEO of Community Housing Improvement Program, on whether it's a good idea to rebuild Paradise's largest low-income housing complex.

Babies on the Assembly floor! Senators swearing at each other! Forcible Zoom mutings! The end of the state legislative session was particularly chaotic this year, especially for housing. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam break down the last-minute eviction deal nobody seems happy with, and the head-scratching demise of a housing production bill that actually passed both chambers. First, the Avocado of the Fortnight is awarded to the only lawmaker to actually address a previous Avocado with successful legislation (2:30). Then, a discussion of the eviction compromise and what it meant for renters, landlords and banks (5:00). Then, a breakdown of why the highest profile housing production bill of 2020 passed both houses--and still failed to become law (20:30). Finally, an interview with viral sensation Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Democrat from Oakland, on why she and her four week old daughter were on the Assembly floor supporting duplexes in single-family neighborhoods (38:30).

Audio editing by Victor Figueroa http://www.vicfig.com/

California faces the prospect of hundreds of thousands of evictions if lawmakers don't come up with new protections by the end of the month. On this episode, Matt and Liam discuss the looming eviction wave, and the loophole in eviction moratoriums that has allowed sheriff deputies to lock out tenants during "shelter in place." First, the Avocado of the Fortnight introduces us to the term "garden igloo" (3:00). Then, a discussion of current federal and state efforts to stave off the eviction cliff (6:30). Matt shamelessly promotes his story about the 1,600 households evicted during the pandemic (18:00). Then, an interview with Rep. Maxine Waters, Democrat from Los Angeles, about federal efforts to forestall evictions, President Trump's comments about "suburban housewives", and how Gov. Newsom has handled the pandemic (29:00).

Matt's Story: https://calmatters.org/housing/2020/08/californians-evicted-coronavirus-pandemic/

Editing and post-production by Victor Figueroa. http://www.vicfig.com/

President Trump tweeted an ominous warning to suburban housewives. What does that have to do with California housing policy? On this episode, Matt and Liam discuss the history of segregation and discrimination in American suburban enclaves (1:30). First, the Avocado of the Fortnight takes us back in time...to last month. Then, an interview with University of Michigan sociologist Karyn Lacy on whether the president's characterization of the suburbs fits the realities of 2020 (17:30).

It's the worst economy since the Great Depression...and housing prices aren't really budging all that much. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss the confusing state of California's home and rental market. First, the Avocado of the Fortnight begs an existential question: just how harmful are UC Berkeley undergrads to the world? (2:20). Then a discussion of housing and homelessness dollars in the state budget, whether Project Homekey will actually work, and what the state is planning to do about evictions (6:20). Finally, an interview with Zillow economist Skylar Olsen about the mystifying state of California's housing market (28:00).

Audio editing by Victor Figueroa, http://www.vicfig.com/

Structural racism in housing lay at the heart of many of the economic disparities between black and white households. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam delve into the legacy of one California-specific housing policy with a deeply racist history that is still embedded in the state constitution: Article 34 (7:40). Then, a conversation with Andre Perry, a fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute, whose research into the devaluation of homes in Black neighborhoods points to systemic bias in how the U.S. and California cities value Black assets (24:30).

Andre's book: https://www.brookings.edu/book/know-your-price/

BONUS TRACK!!! Gimme Shelter will be running episodes of "Samaritans", a KCRW narrative podcast hosted by Anna Scott that follows one person's experience of homelessness in Los Angeles. Here's episode one.

Samaritans: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/samaritans/id1517172761

There Goes the Neighborhood: https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/there-goes-the-neighborhood