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

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.

Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.

Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
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.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research