Things to read from the past week:
CDC announces limited, targeted eviction moratorium until early October "Unlike the previous ban, the new protection will be more limited, targeting areas hardest hit by the coronavirus. It will protect those in areas of the country with 'high' or 'substantial' transmission of Covid-19 based on the CDC's tracking of the virus and will last until October 3." (CNN)
LA’s Transportation System Is ‘Failing Women’ "For women and girls trying to get around in Los Angeles, there’s no question significant challenges remain. A just-released city study analyzing gender equity in transportation reaffirms what many already experience: navigating Los Angeles is often more complex, dangerous and inaccessible for women." (LAist)
Tenants Accuse Healthy Housing Foundation Facilities of ‘Slumlord’ Conditions "While AHF is attempting to expand its affordable housing holdings, tenants of buildings operated by Healthy Housing want to see that money invested in the buildings they already own. Tenants allege the buildings are 'unliveable,' citing numerous problems with building maintenance and safety at the 10 sites operated by the foundation." (Knock LA)
Could Plant Prefab Solve California's Housing Crisis? "Prefabricated housing construction has exploded in recent years, as L.A. has looked to the dwelling style as a way of diversifying its housing supply and tackling the housing crisis. Plant Prefab says its forthcoming third factory will allow the company to cut waste by up to 30% while saving 10% to 25% on cost and reducing construction times by 20% to 50% compared to traditional building methods." (dot LA)
Op-Ed: Here’s why East Los Angeles’ bid for independence could succeed this time "The pursuit of cityhood for East Los Angeles has been hampered by internal community divisions between renters and absentee landlords and such factors as citizenship, income, educational level and language. But the community’s legacy of activism and cultural vitality and its distinctive history underscore the significance of its almost 7.5 square miles — and continue to inspire local efforts to incorporate." (LA Times)
COVID has gutted public transit in Los Angeles. Will ridership ever bounce back? "COVID-19 has sent LA public transit numbers plummeting. In 2020, just 213 million people used the Metro rail or bus, as opposed to 370 million the year before, according to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority." (KCRW)
Senators struggle to amend, finish $1-trillion infrastructure bill "Overall, the infrastructure package calls for $550 billion in new spending over five years above projected federal levels for a nearly $1-trillion expenditure, what could be one of the more substantial investments in the nation’s roads, bridges, waterworks, broadband and the electric grid in years." (LA Times)
