Liam Dillon
@liamjdillon.com
Covering housing in Los Angeles and California for POLITICO.
Reposted by Liam Dillon
What happens when you downzone?
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Downzoning Chicago: How Local Land Use Policy Has Reduced Housing Construction and Reinforced Segregation | Published in Findings
By Yonah Freemark, George Kisiel. Downzonings were used by US cities in the postwar period to preserve neighborhood character. These land-use policies were associated with lower housing supply, higher...
findingspress.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What happens when you downzone?
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
It's underappreciated in LA's wildfire recovery how much the lack of accountability for government failures leading up to/exacerbating the disasters is contributing to residents' lack of trust for government to find solutions for rebuilding www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 24, 2025 at 4:15 PM
It's underappreciated in LA's wildfire recovery how much the lack of accountability for government failures leading up to/exacerbating the disasters is contributing to residents' lack of trust for government to find solutions for rebuilding www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Digging into LAND @birdyword.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Digging into LAND @birdyword.bsky.social
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass just announced the completion of the first rebuilt house after January's Palisades fire. Homebuilder Thomas James owned the property pre-fire, the house burned and the company's rebuilt home will now serve as a model for the builder in the community.
November 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass just announced the completion of the first rebuilt house after January's Palisades fire. Homebuilder Thomas James owned the property pre-fire, the house burned and the company's rebuilt home will now serve as a model for the builder in the community.
NEW: The first rebuilt home after Los Angeles' January wildfires is a two-bedroom ADU in Altadena. The property owner built the ADU himself replacing a garage that burned down. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
The first home has been rebuilt after the Los Angeles wildfires. It’s an ADU.
A two-bedroom accessory dwelling unit has been completed in Altadena, replacing a garage that burned in January’s Eaton fire.
www.politico.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:21 AM
NEW: The first rebuilt home after Los Angeles' January wildfires is a two-bedroom ADU in Altadena. The property owner built the ADU himself replacing a garage that burned down. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
After failing to stop a major state housing bill from becoming law, Los Angeles leaders are turning to plan B: Delaying Senate Bill 79's implementation and pushing for unspecified legislative changes next year. My dispatch for @politico.com Pro subscribers subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Los Angeles failed to defeat a major housing law, so it's turning to Plan B: Delay, delay, delay
A report from the city planning department outlines strategies for pushing off many of the effects of SB 79 through 2030.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 AM
After failing to stop a major state housing bill from becoming law, Los Angeles leaders are turning to plan B: Delaying Senate Bill 79's implementation and pushing for unspecified legislative changes next year. My dispatch for @politico.com Pro subscribers subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Such a pleasure to be back on @kcrw.com today. Talked about LA’s major new rent control changes www.kcrw.com/shows/press-...
Why California has some of the country’s weakest… | KCRW
Plus, the impact of the LA City Council tightening rent increases, our weekly film reviews, and Evan Kleiman has suggestions for spots offering takeout or dine-in Thanksgiving.
www.kcrw.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Such a pleasure to be back on @kcrw.com today. Talked about LA’s major new rent control changes www.kcrw.com/shows/press-...
A vote to sharply lower rent hikes for 1.5 million Los Angeles tenants caps years of wins for local activists and comes amid a national focus on affordability punctuated by Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Los Angeles limits rent hikes in historic vote
The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to cap rent increases for most apartments, a decision that continues a wave of tenant victories in the city and across the country.
www.politico.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:13 AM
A vote to sharply lower rent hikes for 1.5 million Los Angeles tenants caps years of wins for local activists and comes amid a national focus on affordability punctuated by Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
The LA city council just voted on a major change to sharply lower annual rent increases in rent stabilized units — 660k apartments — to between 1% and 4% depending on inflation. Story to come
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The LA city council just voted on a major change to sharply lower annual rent increases in rent stabilized units — 660k apartments — to between 1% and 4% depending on inflation. Story to come
The state of California owns dozens of empty houses in Los Angeles County. It's spent more than $17 million since 2020 on private security and extra police patrols to guard them from protestors and keep them vacant. My first byline for @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
California owns dozens of vacant houses in Los Angeles County. It's paying millions to guard them from protesters.
The California Department of Transportation has spent more than $17 million since 2020 to guard the homes, which it purchased to make way for a freeway that was never completed.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The state of California owns dozens of empty houses in Los Angeles County. It's spent more than $17 million since 2020 on private security and extra police patrols to guard them from protestors and keep them vacant. My first byline for @politico.com www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Interesting assessment of the state of affairs in California's home insurance market. The liability of the state FAIR plan — insurer of last resort — "is now nearly $700 billion, more than double the level two years ago." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: Insurers flee wildfire-prone California despite state assistance
Regulations to enable large rate increases contrast with other state efforts to stabilize insurance markets.
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Interesting assessment of the state of affairs in California's home insurance market. The liability of the state FAIR plan — insurer of last resort — "is now nearly $700 billion, more than double the level two years ago." subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Why it takes so long to rebuild after major wildfires and why it's all the more important as California continues in the middle of its most destructive era of wildfire in state history.
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Why the road to rebuilding homes after fires is complicated
A Los Angeles Times analysis finds just 38% of homes have been rebuilt after some of the most destructive fires in California history.
www.wbur.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Why it takes so long to rebuild after major wildfires and why it's all the more important as California continues in the middle of its most destructive era of wildfire in state history.
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
I broke things down with @npr.org's Here & Now earlier today: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Today's my first day @politico.com! I'm writing about rebuilding in Los Angeles and housing issues across California. You can reach me here or at [email protected].
October 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Today's my first day @politico.com! I'm writing about rebuilding in Los Angeles and housing issues across California. You can reach me here or at [email protected].
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Business Insider wrote up a story on how some of their past investigative work led to a new California law. The story is strangely unbylined.
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
California enacts law to prevent sexual abuse in K-12 schools following Business Insider investigation
The new legislation comes after a 2023 Business Insider investigation into sexual misconduct at a California high school.
www.businessinsider.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Business Insider wrote up a story on how some of their past investigative work led to a new California law. The story is strangely unbylined.
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
The reason perhaps? The publication recently laid off the reporter behind that investigation, Matt Drange.
www.businessinsider.com/california-e...
So very excited to share that I’ll be writing about housing in Los Angeles and across California for Politico www.politico.com/blogs/politi...
POLITICO Expands California Coverage with New Housing Beat, Welcomes Veteran Reporter Liam Dillon
www.politico.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
So very excited to share that I’ll be writing about housing in Los Angeles and across California for Politico www.politico.com/blogs/politi...
We're living in the worst era of wildfire in California history. My colleagues and I found that an astounding 22,500 homes burned down in the five most destructive fires in the state from 2017 through 2020. Just 38% of them have been rebuilt. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
22,500 homes lost. Over five years later, only 38% rebuilt: What California fire survivors face
Just 38% of the 22,500 homes burned down in California's five most destructive wildfires from 2017 to 2020 have been rebuilt, The Times found.
www.latimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:59 PM
We're living in the worst era of wildfire in California history. My colleagues and I found that an astounding 22,500 homes burned down in the five most destructive fires in the state from 2017 through 2020. Just 38% of them have been rebuilt. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After nearly 10 years, today is my last day at the @latimes.com. I'm so grateful to have worked with so many talented people. Please be on the lookout for one more big story soon!
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
September 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
After nearly 10 years, today is my last day at the @latimes.com. I'm so grateful to have worked with so many talented people. Please be on the lookout for one more big story soon!
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
Can't share yet where I'm headed next, but I'll still be writing about California housing issues.
Reposted by Liam Dillon
California lawmakers pass SB 79, housing bill that brings dense housing to transit hubs
California lawmakers pass SB 79, housing bill that brings dense housing to transit hubs
After months of debate, California lawmakers on Friday passed SB 79, a housing bill that overrides local zoning laws to bring high-density housing up to nine stories tall to transit hubs.
www.latimes.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:57 PM
California lawmakers pass SB 79, housing bill that brings dense housing to transit hubs
Reposted by Liam Dillon
A bill proposed Monday night, just days before the end of the legislative session, would punch a very small hole in a landmark housing law passed earlier this year that appears to apply to one (1) proposed apartment building in the incoming Senate leader's district.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
This last-minute deal could stymie a new Santa Barbara apartment building
The 270-unit is proposed behind the city’s historic Mission, and in the district of incoming Senate president Monique Limón.
calmatters.org
September 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A bill proposed Monday night, just days before the end of the legislative session, would punch a very small hole in a landmark housing law passed earlier this year that appears to apply to one (1) proposed apartment building in the incoming Senate leader's district.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
All time epic Dodgers collapse. Wow
September 7, 2025 at 2:12 AM
All time epic Dodgers collapse. Wow
Reposted by Liam Dillon
The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to pay $500,000 to two journalists who claim their rights were violated four years ago, when police arrested them as they covered a protest in Echo Park.
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
L.A. agrees to pay $500,000 to reporters arrested at 2021 Echo Park protest
The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to a settlement with two Knock LA journalists who claim their constitutional rights were violated when police arrested them while covering a protest four...
www.latimes.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The city of Los Angeles has tentatively agreed to pay $500,000 to two journalists who claim their rights were violated four years ago, when police arrested them as they covered a protest in Echo Park.
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
@liborjany.bsky.social has the story
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Fascinated by the reaction in Pacific Palisades to duplexes vs. casitas.
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is restricting duplex construction in Pacific Palisades after an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to weaken a state housing law. But despite fears of greater density...
www.latimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Fascinated by the reaction in Pacific Palisades to duplexes vs. casitas.
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Roughly 15% of permit applications include an ADU and the process is streamlined. A handful of duplex projects proposed and the outcry pushed the governor to exempt the Palisades from state law. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
A new milestone in Pacific Palisades this week. 500 homeowners have applied for rebuilding permits after January's wildfire. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is restricting duplex construction in Pacific Palisades following an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to weaken state housing law. But despite fears of greater densi...
www.latimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:20 AM
A new milestone in Pacific Palisades this week. 500 homeowners have applied for rebuilding permits after January's wildfire. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
A flurry of action from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the last few days has led to a ban on new duplex construction in Pacific Palisades.
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After outcry, L.A. restricts duplexes in Pacific Palisades
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is restricting duplex construction in Pacific Palisades following an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom to weaken state housing law. But despite fears of greater densi...
www.latimes.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:06 AM
A flurry of action from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the last few days has led to a ban on new duplex construction in Pacific Palisades.
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
ADU building, however, continues to be expedited and is popular among rebuilding residents. www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After a push from L.A. elected officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to issue an executive order weakening the state’s landmark duplex law in wildfire affected regions of the county www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
After push from L.A., Newsom plans to weaken state duplex law in wildfire areas
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom intends to weaken Senate Bill 9, which allows for as many as four homes on single-family lots, in wildfire affected communities. This week, L.A. City Councilmember Trac...
www.latimes.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:44 AM
After a push from L.A. elected officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to issue an executive order weakening the state’s landmark duplex law in wildfire affected regions of the county www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...