Liam Dillon
@liamjdillon.com
Covering housing in Los Angeles and California for POLITICO.
One potential liability for Spencer Pratt's nascent mayoral bid in deep-blue Los Angeles? His Republican registration www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Spencer Pratt’s GOP registration poses early test in LA mayor’s race
The former reality TV personality said, “It’s a nonpartisan race.”
www.politico.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:30 PM
One potential liability for Spencer Pratt's nascent mayoral bid in deep-blue Los Angeles? His Republican registration www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
"They’re smart enough to know that they would get pummeled if they showed up.”
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
On anniversary of L.A. wildfires Newsom, Bass and Newsom lay low
Fire survivors in Los Angeles held multiple events to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the blazes. The governor and mayor did not appear in public.
www.politico.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:38 AM
"They’re smart enough to know that they would get pummeled if they showed up.”
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
On why Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stayed away from public events on the anniversary of last year's wildfires. With @melmason.bsky.social www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt announced from the stage of a protest on the one-year anniversary of the LA wildfires that he’s running for mayor of Los Angeles. He didn’t take questions but I asked him if he actually submitted paperwork and he showed me
January 7, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Former reality television personality Spencer Pratt announced from the stage of a protest on the one-year anniversary of the LA wildfires that he’s running for mayor of Los Angeles. He didn’t take questions but I asked him if he actually submitted paperwork and he showed me
A phoenix on top of the American Legion post where survivors of the Palisades fire are holding a one-year memorial ceremony
January 7, 2026 at 6:14 PM
A phoenix on top of the American Legion post where survivors of the Palisades fire are holding a one-year memorial ceremony
On a solemn day in Los Angeles, wildfire survivors are pushing for accountability for key failures that worsened the disasters that killed 31 people and destroyed 13,000 homes one year ago www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
One year after the LA fires, survivors’ big question: Where’s the accountability?
Government failures worsened the disasters that killed 31 people and destroyed 13,000 homes in Los Angeles last year. Muddled investigations have compounded frustrations.
www.politico.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
On a solemn day in Los Angeles, wildfire survivors are pushing for accountability for key failures that worsened the disasters that killed 31 people and destroyed 13,000 homes one year ago www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
A California state appellate court has determined that moving playground equipment — a small zip line to be specific — from one spot to another does NOT require formal environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act www.cp-dr.com/articles/mov...
CP&DR
California Planning & Development Report
www.cp-dr.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:26 PM
A California state appellate court has determined that moving playground equipment — a small zip line to be specific — from one spot to another does NOT require formal environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act www.cp-dr.com/articles/mov...
California landlords now are required under a new state law to provide refrigerators to their tenants, ending one of the strangest quirks of the Los Angeles rental market. I found a few years ago that LA rentals come with fewer fridges than anywhere www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Why do so many L.A. apartments come without fridges? Inside the chilling mystery
Why do tenants have to bring their own refrigerators to rent apartments in Los Angeles?
www.latimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:57 PM
California landlords now are required under a new state law to provide refrigerators to their tenants, ending one of the strangest quirks of the Los Angeles rental market. I found a few years ago that LA rentals come with fewer fridges than anywhere www.latimes.com/homeless-hou...
Looks like the city of Los Angeles just issued its second certificate of occupancy in Pacific Palisades for a rebuilt home after the wildfires.
December 30, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Looks like the city of Los Angeles just issued its second certificate of occupancy in Pacific Palisades for a rebuilt home after the wildfires.
California housing department investigators are preparing to crack down on the city of Los Angeles over the city's denial of a 120-unit low-income apartment building a block from the beach in Venice. Penalties could affect development across the city www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
‘Dead’ to City Hall, but funded by the state: The high-stakes fight over a Los Angeles affordable housing project
State housing officials could limit Los Angeles' access to funds and strip it of some zoning authority over its efforts to block low-income housing in Venice.
www.politico.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:35 PM
California housing department investigators are preparing to crack down on the city of Los Angeles over the city's denial of a 120-unit low-income apartment building a block from the beach in Venice. Penalties could affect development across the city www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Call it Schrödinger's affordable housing project — both dead and alive at the same time.
Now after nearly a decade of dispute the fate of a 120-unit, low-income apartment building along the iconic canals in Venice Beach may affect all development in LA
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Now after nearly a decade of dispute the fate of a 120-unit, low-income apartment building along the iconic canals in Venice Beach may affect all development in LA
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
‘Dead’ to City Hall, but funded by the state: The high-stakes fight over a Los Angeles affordable housing project
State housing officials could limit Los Angeles' access to funds and strip it of some zoning authority over its efforts to block low-income housing in Venice.
www.politico.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Call it Schrödinger's affordable housing project — both dead and alive at the same time.
Now after nearly a decade of dispute the fate of a 120-unit, low-income apartment building along the iconic canals in Venice Beach may affect all development in LA
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Now after nearly a decade of dispute the fate of a 120-unit, low-income apartment building along the iconic canals in Venice Beach may affect all development in LA
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
I see there’s Homelessness Discourse today. Good evidence that the recent national surge in homelessness numbers was due to an increased migrant arrivals. But in general, differences in US homelessness rates attributable to the cost and availability of rental housing in a given area.
December 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I see there’s Homelessness Discourse today. Good evidence that the recent national surge in homelessness numbers was due to an increased migrant arrivals. But in general, differences in US homelessness rates attributable to the cost and availability of rental housing in a given area.
Los Angeles city attorney has outlined her legal attack on SB 79, the high-profile bill to allow dense housing near mass transit. She's planning to make a claim to an obscure state commission to reimburse the city for $2b+ in costs. For subscribers: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Los Angeles city attorney plans legal attack on new state housing law
Representatives for City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto told a housing group she's planning to challenge Senate Bill 79 through an obscure state commission.
subscriber.politicopro.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Los Angeles city attorney has outlined her legal attack on SB 79, the high-profile bill to allow dense housing near mass transit. She's planning to make a claim to an obscure state commission to reimburse the city for $2b+ in costs. For subscribers: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
C'mon man!
Just when you thought this campaign couldn’t get worse.
This is a photo of Bali
This is a photo of Bali
December 18, 2025 at 5:34 PM
C'mon man!
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Newsom’s troll energy takes over the DNC
Newsom’s troll energy takes over the DNC
Newsom met privately with Ken Martin, the Democratic National Committee chair.
dlvr.it
December 12, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Newsom’s troll energy takes over the DNC
"We will not allow outside groups — even longstanding allies — to attack the Palisades," @gavinnewsom.bsky.social spokesperson on a now-filed YIMBY Law lawsuit against his July executive order banning duplexes in L.A. wildfire rebuilding www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Newsom wouldn’t budge on his duplex ban for the Los Angeles wildfire rebuild. So, a YIMBY group is suing him.
Gov. Gavin Newsom shrugged off a lawsuit by a YIMBY group over his executive order to ban duplexes in Pacific Palisades.
www.politico.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
"We will not allow outside groups — even longstanding allies — to attack the Palisades," @gavinnewsom.bsky.social spokesperson on a now-filed YIMBY Law lawsuit against his July executive order banning duplexes in L.A. wildfire rebuilding www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
It's my aspirational goal that the governor stop calling his 2018 campaign pledge to build 3.5 million homes through 2025 an aspirational goal. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
December 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
It's my aspirational goal that the governor stop calling his 2018 campaign pledge to build 3.5 million homes through 2025 an aspirational goal. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
I see that New York Times transcription service is unfamiliar with California's Regional Housing Needs Assessment
December 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I see that New York Times transcription service is unfamiliar with California's Regional Housing Needs Assessment
“Anyone coming to the Palisades with the idea of increasing density whether it’s low-income housing, high-income housing, whatever it is, we will be vehemently opposed without question.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
YIMBY group threatens suit over Newsom's duplex ban in LA wildfire recovery
YIMBY Law says unless Gov. Gavin Newsom reverses course it will sue this week over his executive order allowing cities to ban duplex projects in neighborhoods rebuilding after January's Los Angeles wi...
www.politico.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:27 PM
“Anyone coming to the Palisades with the idea of increasing density whether it’s low-income housing, high-income housing, whatever it is, we will be vehemently opposed without question.” www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
How rebuilding in LA’s wildfire zones mixes with all the pro-density housing laws passed recently in California is a major ongoing subplot in the recovery www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
YIMBY group threatens suit over Newsom's duplex ban in LA wildfire recovery
YIMBY Law says unless Gov. Gavin Newsom reverses course it will sue this week over his executive order allowing cities to ban duplex projects in neighborhoods rebuilding after January's Los Angeles wi...
www.politico.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:07 PM
How rebuilding in LA’s wildfire zones mixes with all the pro-density housing laws passed recently in California is a major ongoing subplot in the recovery www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Liam Dillon
Newsom accuses Trump of wildfire aid snub
Newsom accuses Trump of wildfire aid snub
The Democratic governor's office said the administration denied its request to make an official available.
dlvr.it
December 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Newsom accuses Trump of wildfire aid snub
Reposted by Liam Dillon
A Times investigation found that California’s top insurance regulator logged at least 32 trips to 23 countries and territories but consistently failed to disclose who paid for the five-star hotels, premium airline seats and fine dining. www.latimes.com/business/st...
International travel. Fancy meals. Missing receipts. Who paid the tab for this top official?
California's insurance commissioner logged 32 trips to 23 countries and territories, but he consistently failed to disclose who paid for the five-star hotels, premium airline seats and fine dining.
www.latimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A Times investigation found that California’s top insurance regulator logged at least 32 trips to 23 countries and territories but consistently failed to disclose who paid for the five-star hotels, premium airline seats and fine dining. www.latimes.com/business/st...
I spoke with @politico.com PM Playbook today about the furor surrounding the first house rebuilt after the fire in Pacific Palisades, and why a first house is important for symbolic and practical reasons. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
California Playbook PM
Your afternoon must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State
www.politico.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I spoke with @politico.com PM Playbook today about the furor surrounding the first house rebuilt after the fire in Pacific Palisades, and why a first house is important for symbolic and practical reasons. www.politico.com/newsletters/...
On the Friday before Thanksgiving, LA Mayor Karen Bass announced that the first house had been rebuilt in the Pacific Palisades after January’s wildfires. She immediately faced backlash from wildfire survivors because no one is going to live in it.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
What is the first house rebuilt after the wildfires in Los Angeles? It’s complicated.
Furor erupted when Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass celebrated a home owned by a homebuilder company, not a homeowner, as the first to be completed.
www.politico.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:10 PM
On the Friday before Thanksgiving, LA Mayor Karen Bass announced that the first house had been rebuilt in the Pacific Palisades after January’s wildfires. She immediately faced backlash from wildfire survivors because no one is going to live in it.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
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...