Residents have already seen online listings skyrocketing in price—despite laws against such hikes. With fires still raging, LA and Pasadena tenants are demanding protections against rent raises and eviction.

Following devastating fires that destroyed over 12,000 structures in Los Angeles County, tenant advocacy groups are demanding stronger emergency housing protections amid reports of widespread rental price gouging.
The LA Tenants Union and a coalition of 70+ organizations are calling for an eviction moratorium, rent freeze, and enforcement of anti-price gouging laws. While the city council is considering limited protections for fire-impacted tenants, advocates argue these measures don't go far enough, citing documentation requirements that could exclude vulnerable residents.
Price gouging has emerged as an immediate concern, with rents surging beyond legal limits set during emergencies. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an active investigation into illegal rent increases on January 16. A crowdsourced database has collected over 1,000 potential violations.
In Pasadena, where the Eaton fire caused significant damage, tenant groups are also fighting attempts to weaken existing rent control protections. Local landlord organizations have requested exemptions from Measure H's rent stabilization provisions, claiming these would help house fire victims – an argument tenant advocates dispute.
The crisis compounds Los Angeles County's existing housing challenges, where nearly 75,000 people experience homelessness nightly.
FULL STORY: While California Fires Burn On, Residents Take on Rent Gouging

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.

Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.

Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service