Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

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).

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.