The fight to save L.A.’s Little Tokyo before it’s too late "Little can offset the departure of Suehiro from the historic storefronts on this historic block. But the groundbreaking in February of the First Street North complex is considered a victory by those who argue that Little Tokyo has for too long been a target for opportunistic development by city planners, overseas corporations and absentee landlords." (LA Times)
‘Affordable housing for another generation’: California trusts pull properties off the market "California community land trusts – which buy land and sell or rent the buildings on it to low-income residents— have tripled." (CalMatters)
The hidden role of public pensions in raising rents in California "Across the country, public pension systems are pouring billions of dollars into higher risk real estate investment funds that are managed by private companies and target outsize returns. Investment experts say the trend is driven by a variety of factors, including a long-running goal of portfolio diversification and a more pressing need by underfunded public pension systems to boost returns to pay members what they’ve promised." (LA Times)
New rent hike limits go into place this week. What you need to know "Many renters in Los Angeles and Orange counties will see little difference in the maximum allowable rent increase their landlords can charge this year under state law. Starting Aug. 1, the limit will rise to 8.9% compared with 8.8% over the past year." (LAist)
LA councilmembers want to revive guaranteed basic income program for the poor "It would help victims of domestic violence and youth aging out of foster care system" (Daily News)
Backyard ADUs booming in L.A. County. Why these surprising cities are building the most "It is not fully clear why some cities are building more. Experts say the speed and ease of the permitting process in each city is a likely reason some cities are at the top of the list, but other factors could include differing municipal regulations and varying single-family lot sizes that dictate whether there is enough room for extra backyard structures." (LA Times)
Danger in the dust: Coachella Valley residents struggle to breathe "A hazardous haze, made up of small, inhalable particles, casts a pall over the desert. This year has been severe, triggering asthma attacks — so what is being done to clean it up?" (CalMatters)
Skid Row homeless housing portfolio set to be sold to Leo Pustilnikov "Under the terms of the deal, first reported by The Times this month and formally announced in court papers filed by Receivership Specialists on Friday, Pustilnikov will pay $19 million for the portfolio and then receive $9 million back to cover further renovations and repairs. Pustilnikov will be able to draw on an additional $1.3 million set aside to cover litigation costs for habitability and other ongoing lawsuits against the properties." (LA Times)
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