Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

As 2019 winds down, Matt and Liam discuss what major housing storylines you should expect next year. First, the second annual Avocado of the Year is awarded to the most absurd California housing story of 2019 (2:00). Then, counting down the four issues that will define California's housing crisis next year, from a possible Trump crackdown on homelessness to what a "signature housing production bill" actually looks like (7:00). Finally, an interview with Ben Metcalf, former head of the state Department of Housing and Community Development, about the successes and mistakes of his tenure (32:00).

Matt and Liam interview the co-chairs of Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide task force on homelessness, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. This episode was taped live on November 5 at a "Homelessness and Housing Town Hall" hosted by the Milken Institute in Santa Monica. The town hall was co-produced by CalMatters, the Los Angeles Times, and the Milken Institute.

Special thanks to JPMorgan Chase & Co., Edison International and SoCalGas for sponsoring the event.

Fires, blackouts, and soaring housing costs--has California officially reached a tipping point? Or are we simply recycling the same old tired doomsday tropes every time the state faces a collective challenge? On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam chat with New York Times columnist Farhad Manjoo about why the state's twin climate change and housing affordability problems make him pessimistic about the future.

First, an Avocado of the Fortnight poses a $10,000 question: How much would it take for you to leave the Bay? (4:30) Then a discussion of where Southern California decided to put 1.3 million new units of state-mandated housing, and why the decision was so surprising to Liam (7:30). Finally, a conversation about whether we should rebuild in high fire risk areas, followed by an interview with NYT op-ed columnist and fan of the pod Farhad Manjoo (33:00).

Farhad's Column: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/opinion/sunday/california-fires.html

A very special episode: Matt and Liam moderate a conversation on housing policy between state Sen. Scott Wiener, Democrat from San Francisco, and Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch. Wiener is trying to force California cities to allow denser housing. Mirisch has been a fierce defender of local control and single-family-only zoning. Tune in for the avocado jokes, stay for the civil discourse on zoning reform!!!

This debate was recorded live at the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing's annual conference in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, October 25th.

Registration for our CalMatters-L.A. Times town hall on homelessness and housing in Santa Monica, Tuesday Nov. 5th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-homelessness-housing-town-hall-registration-76393489985#m_1_100

What is neighborhood character exactly? What does a one-size-fits-all approach to housing mean? What strain does building more housing actually put on city infrastructure?

On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss the case for local control over housing decisions. First, Gimme Shelter is going on tour in Southern California--come out and see us (3:00). Then a truly sisyphean Avocado of the Fortnight (7:00), followed by a roundup of what housing bills Gov. Newsom signed and vetoed (11:00). Finally, interviews with Susan Kirsch, founder and former president of Liveable California (31:00), and Juan Garza, mayor pro tem of the city of Bellflower (55:00).

Tour Dates:

Oct 26, Voice of San Diego's Politifest, 2PM (check calendar for additional details) : https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/politifest/

Nov 5, Milken Institute in Santa Monica, Homelessness and Housing Town Hall: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-homelessness-housing-town-hall-registration-76393489985

Gimme Shelter solves the housing crisis...in front of a live studio audience! Matt and Liam hosted the first live taping of the podcast on September 18 in downtown San Francisco, focused on solutions to California's housing woes. They interview Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, USCF homelessness expert Dr. Margot Kushel, and developer Candice Gonzalez. If you rather watch than listen, you can check out the recorded livestream here: https://calmatters.org/multimedia/podcasts/gimme-shelter/2019/09/california-housing-crisis-gimme-shelter-podcast-event/

Special thanks to our event sponsor LWH Consulting, and to the Public Policy Institute of California for hosting the event.

Last Friday, California lawmakers ended their work for the year. Did they solve California's housing woes? On this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss the bills on their way to the governor's desk and what they mean for Californians.

(Note: A previous version of this podcast was accidentally uploaded before final editing. Listen to this one!)

Avocado of the Fortnight (3:00) on menstrual products on the Senate floor. Then a discussion of the rent cap bill and what it means for California renters, lawmakers and politicians (7:30), followed by a round up of other important housing legislation awaiting Newsom's signature or veto (30:00). Then re-capping the year in broad narrative strokes.

Late last week, Democratic leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom announced they had reached a deal on a bill that would limit how much a California landlord can raise the rent. In this episode of Gimme Shelter, Matt and Liam discuss the shifting politics and policy of Assembly Bill 1482, and its prospects for becoming law. First, Matt brings his own Avocado of the Fortnight, involving the 37% of young adult Californians who live with their parents (3:10). Then a discussion of why landlords and developers don't oppose the rent cap bill, why realtors do, and what the bill will actually mean for California renters (11:20). Finally, an interview with Asm. David Chiu, Democrat from San Francisco and author of the rent cap bill(30:30).

Section 8 is the most well-known affordable housing program in the country. How exactly does it work in a high-cost state like California? In light of a bill that would ban landlords from discriminating against Section 8 voucher holders, Matt and Liam discuss the program's promise and shortcomings.

First some major podcast announcements (2:00), including our first live podcast event! Sep 18th in San Francisco with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, UCSF homelessness expert Margot Kushel and developer Candice Gonzalez. Register here, it's free: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-solve-the-california-housing-crisis-registration-70067137695

Then interviews with Urban Institute researcher Martha Galvez (20:00) and state Sen. Holly Mitchell (40:00).

Oregon is the first state in the nation to pass laws capping annual rent increases and prohibiting single family only zoning. California tenant and zoning reform advocates have struggled in recent years to push similar laws. Matt and Liam discuss the key political and policy differences between the "Oregon model" and California. First, an absurdly sad Avocado of the Fortnight takes us to a photo-op gone awry for L.A.Mayor Eric Garcetti (3:00). Then Matt and Liam analyze why Oregon was first to pass these bills, and what political lessons it holds for California (9:00). Then, interviews with Mary Kyle McCurdy, deputy director of 1000 Friends of Oregon (29:00), and Pam Phan, advocacy and organizing director for the Community Alliance of Tenants (48:30).