Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

Does building more housing--and allowing more housing to be built--actually reduce rents and home prices in the long run? How long is the long run exactly? In light of a MIT study that casts doubt on the efficacy of "upzoning"--allowing more houses to be built on one piece of land--Matt and Liam talk about "supply skepticism" and how important the study may or may not be to the fate of statewide housing reforms in California. Then an interview with Michael Lens (26:00), professor of urban planning at UCLA and a proponent of upzoning, about what has and hasn't been proven in housing research and his reaction to the MIT study. Finally an interview with the MIT study author himself, Yonah Freemark (44:00).

Huntington Beach, you've been served. Last week, the Newsom administration announced it was suing the Orange County city for failing to plan for adequate housing. Matt and Liam delve into the details of the suit, and what it means for the future of local control over housing decisions. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight takes us yet again to the city of Cupertino, where a new mayor's stand-up act met mixed reviews (2:40). Then a detailed breakdown of the policy and nuanced politics of dueling Huntington Beach lawsuits (6:20). Then an interview with Republican Sen. John Moorlach, who represents the region and is trying to persuade Newsom to back off (24: 00). Finally, an interview with Democratic Asm. Miguel Santiago from Los Angeles, who authored the bill used to sue Huntington Beach (42:45).

Gov. Gavin Newsom's housing budget tries to do ALOT--including build more housing for California's middle class. Matt and Liam take a deeper dive into Newsom's housing plan, including his call for Silicon Valley companies to chip in on the so-called "missing middle." First, an Avocado of the Fortnight from San Jose has Liam purring with delight (1:45). Then a deeper dive into Newsom's housing budget and its new emphasis on middle-income housing (6:30). And finally an interview with low-income housing advocate Tyrone Buckley about a range of housing topics, including SB 50 (24:00).*

*PS--We recorded this on Thursday, Jan. 24 before the Huntington Beach news was public.

There was so much housing news in Gov. Gavin Newsom's first budget proposal that Matt and Liam couldn't wait a week to talk about it. We don't get to everything Newsom wants to do, but we analyze some of the bigger developments, including:

* The unprecedented infusion of housing cash

* A looming crackdown on cities who don't meet their housing goals

* Newsom's comments on Senator Scott Wiener's attempt to strip cities of their zoning power around public transportation.

We'll be back next week with a deeper analysis and interviews.

Zoning reform-—changing how cities decide what types of homes can be built where—isn't just a hot topic in California. Minneapolis, Minnesota made national headlines as the first major city to eliminate single family zoning in an effort to lower the city's housing prices and redress racial inequities. Matt and Liam talk with Lisa Bender, president of the Minneapolis City Council, about the city's controversial plans (22:00).

First, Gimme Shelter awards its second annual Avocado of the Year—the award given to the most absurd California housing story of 2018—to a very famous zip code (1:30). Then Matt and Liam recap the year in housing policy in one word (5:30) before predicting what under-the-radar stories housing nerds should be keeping an eye on in 2019.

Finally, a holiday guilt-trip for our listeners. If you want to support the podcast, the best thing you can do besides donating to CALmatters and subscribing to the L.A. Times is to tweet the CALmatters and L.A. Times Twitter accounts and let them know what value you get from the pod.

The most controversial housing bill in recent California history is back. Does it have any chance of passing this time? Matt and Liam ask Sen. Scott Wiener, the man behind SB 50, about his re-imagined plan to build more apartment buildings around California. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight asks whether the need for nudity should be protected under the California Environmental Quality Act (3:45). Then a review of the flurry of new housing bills introduced on the first day of the legislative session (8:00), including a breakdown of the political obstacles remaining for SB 50, the sequel to Wiener's SB 827 (24:00). Finally, an interview with Sen. Wiener (43:00).

Matt and Liam were travelling and sick the past two weeks, so no conventional episode of Gimme Shelter this fortnight. Instead we present a collection of interviews with big city mayors on housing and homelessness. First, a live panel featuring Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg (1:55). CALmatters reporter Laurel Rosenhall moderated the panel earlier this month as part of the California Dream Project, a collaboration between CALmatters and major public radio stations across the state. Then Liam interviews former Houston Mayor Annise Parker on her efforts to reduce homelessness in a city without zoning laws (43:33). Liam conducted this interview in October.

Link to full CA Dream mayors panel: https://calmatters.org/articles/california-mayors-tell-newsom-be-bold-on-homelessness/

Matt and Liam break down all of the important housing-related results from last week's election. First, the Avocado of the Fortnight asks whether Richard Dreyfus voted against state housing law (4:30). Then, a discussion of the dismal performance of Prop. 10 and where the rent control debate goes from here (11:00), the failure of an effort to expand Prop. 13 (30:00), and the passage of affordable housing and homelessness bonds (34:00). Finally a discussion with Politico California's Angela Hart about what Gavin Newsom is really like and what he has in store for housing (39:15).

The election is just days away! Matt and Liam walk through everything you need to know to make an informed choice on Tuesday. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight from San Diego prompts an existential debate on NIMBYism (4:00). Then, a discussion of housing in the governor's race (8:00), the state legislature (14:00), Prop. 1 (16:30), Prop. 2 (22:00), Prop. 5 (25:00), and Prop. 10 (29:00), including a debate over what a Prop. 10 loss could mean for the future of rent control. Then, interviews with Damien Goodmon from the Yes on 10 campaign and Steve Maviglio with No on 10.

CORRECTION: Matt incorrectly states that Sacramento Mayor Steinberg supports the local rent control ballot initiative. He supports a separate temporary rent control plan.

Other pods to check out for your election deep dive:

"Should you vote yes or no on Prop. 5", https://soundcloud.com/matt-levin-4/should-you-vote-yes-or-no-on-prop-5-the-portable-prop-13-one-with-mike-white-and-dorothy-johnson

"The rent control war", https://soundcloud.com/matt-levin-4/the-rent-control-war-with-debra-carlton-and-amy-schur

Rebuilding the northern California city of Santa Rosa one year after a disastrous fire has been a traumatic, difficult and expensive endeavor. Some also view it as an opportunity to build more housing in an area that desperately needs it. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight begins with two housing reporters walking into a Sacramento bar (2:20). Then, the latest developments in Housing on the Ballot, including more bad polling for rent control (5:30). Matt and Liam catch up with John Thill, whose business and home both burned down the night of the fire. And finally an interview with Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Coursey.