Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

California lawmakers have introduced a new package of legislation aimed at making it easier to build housing in California. Matt and Liam discuss whether the new proposals will make a meaningful dent in the state's housing shortage, and how COVID_19 has changed what is and isn't possible. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight has Matt and Liam talking turkey (5:00). Then Liam shared some epidemiologically informed advice for Matt on how he should live in his apartment complex (7:20). Then an overview of how homelessness and housing programs fared in deficit-demolished state budget (12:00), and how that affected the suite of housing bills pushed by Senate Democratic leaders after SB 50 (21:00).

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With the state's economy in pandemic-induced freefall, missed rent payments are piling up for California tenants and landlords. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss whether a rent strike will provoke the state into action, and what can the government realistically do to help? First, the Avocado of the Fortnite takes us to Liam's backyard (4:00). Then a discussion of the #CancelTheRent movement and two state proposals to address the issue (7:00). Then an interview with Patricia Mendoza, a renter in Imperial Beach who participated in the May 1 rent strike (30:00). Finally, an interview with Evelyn Garcia, whose family owns an apartment complex in South L.A. (44:00).

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CalMatters Donation Page: calmatters.org/donate/ml

Is density to blame for New York's coronavirus outbreak? And if so, should California rethink its push for building more apartments in major cities? On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss the new public health dimensions of California's density debate. First, an Avocado of the Fortnite takes us to an echo chamber inside Matt's living room (3:00). Then a discussion of NIMBY pushback to housing the homeless in hotels (7:00), followed by hot takes on whether the drive for urban density will be sunk by COVID-19 (16:00). Then an interview with Conor Dougherty, New York Times reporter and author of the new book "Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America."

Low-income housing developers say it's really expensive to build affordable units in California. Matt and Liam delve into one example: The Pearl, a small low-income apartment complex that ultimately projected to cost $1.1 million per unit and was never built. First, an FAQ on California's eviction rules after the court system issued new protocols (2:00). Then a discussion of what happened to The Pearl and what it says about California's low-income housing shortage (15:00). Then an interview with Ginger Hitzke, developer of The Pearl (32:00).

As the novel coronavirus pandemic forces millions of Californians to adjust to a new reality, the state’s “housing crisis” already means something different than it did just two weeks ago. On this episode, Matt and Liam discuss how the state's housing woes are complicating California's response to the virus, from homelessness to evictions. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight takes us to the front lines of the tenant revolution: casual dining restaurant chains (6:00). Then a discussion of how Gov. Newsom is trying to house the more than 108,000 Californians without shelter in the middle of a pandemic (9:00). Then a breakdown of what state and local governments are and aren't doing to prevent renters from being evicted (23:00). Finally, some big picture takes on what happens to the housing debate if we enter a prolonged recession (33:00).

NOTE: This podcast was recorded Thursday, March 26, one day before Gov. Newsom issued a new executive order on evictions. While the administration has characterized the executive order as an "eviction moratorium", many tenant groups and Democratic lawmakers have criticized it for not doing enough to protect renters.

More information on the new executive order: https://www.kqed.org/news/11809328/newsoms-eviction-moratorium-useless-misleading-tenants-groups-say

From a live podcast at the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, an interview with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on California's housing and homelessness woes.

Full Event: https://priceschool.usc.edu/unhoused-addressing-homelessness-in-california/homelessness-live-webstream/

Produced by Jakob Lazzaro

Which presidential candidate's housing plan will do the most for you, dear California voter? On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam breakdown the housing proposals of the major remaining presidential candidates and discuss how eerily the policies resemble many California proposals.

First an Avocado of the Fortnight compares Detroit and San Francisco real estate (2;10). Then a breakdown of the Trump administration's approach to housing (5:10). Liam and Matt then present the "Gimmie" awards to various Democratic presidential candidates' housing plans (11:00). Finally, an interview with Jenny Schuetz, a fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute on the role of federal policy in California's housing crisis (23:30).

Special thanks to our producer/intern, Jakob Lazzaro

California's most controversial housing bill is dead...for the third consecutive year. On this emergency episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss what it was like to watch SB 50 die in real time, the reasons behind its death, and what happens next...

Producer: Jakob Lazarro

Music for "Jakob asks a normal person question" from filmmusic.io

"Envision" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Sponsorship of this podcast provided by The James Irvine Foundation

A group of homeless and housing insecure mothers made national headlines after occupying a vacant home in West Oakland. On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss why the protest was so successful and interview one of the "moms" in Moms 4 Housing.

First, an Avocado of the Fortnight asks whether unvaccinated Californians should count as a terrorist threat (3:00). Then a brand new segment from intern producer Jakob sparks a breakdown on what Moms 4 Housing wanted and how realistic their goals are (6:30). Finally, interviews with Aaron Glantz, author of the book "Homewreckers" who has reported extensively on investment firms buying California homes (22:00); and Moms 4 Housing's Dominique Walker (37:00) and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment's Carroll Fife (37:00).

Aaron Glantz's book "Homewreckers: How a Gang of Wall Street Kingpins, Hedge Fund Magnates, Crooked Banks and Vulture Capitalists Suckered Millions Out of Their Homes and Demolished the American Dream":

https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062869531/homewreckers/

Credits:

Jakob Lazzarro is our producer.

Music for "Jakob asks a normal person question" from https://filmmusic.io

"Envision" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

Sponsorship of this podcast provided by The James Irvine Foundation.

California's most controversial housing bill is back again...again. For three years Sen. Scott Wiener has tried to force cities to allow apartment buildings around transit. He's hoping new amendments that grant local governments much more flexibility in approving what types of housing go where will finally get his legislation to the Governor. But do the amendments make the bill more complex and less effective? And are they politically savvy enough to pass?

Matt and Liam discuss the third incarnation of SB 50. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight asks where the social responsibility of strip clubs should end (3:30). Then a walk-thru of the past, present and future of SB 50 (5:00). Finally, an interview with Sen. Scott Wiener (25:00).