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

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland