Could Scott Wiener's new bill to build more apartments actually pass? With Sen. Scott Wiener

12/14/18 • 74 min

Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast

The most controversial housing bill in recent California history is back. Does it have any chance of passing this time? Matt and Liam ask Sen. Scott Wiener, the man behind SB 50, about his re-imagined plan to build more apartment buildings around California. First, an Avocado of the Fortnight asks whether the need for nudity should be protected under the California Environmental Quality Act (3:45). Then a review of the flurry of new housing bills introduced on the first day of the legislative session (8:00), including a breakdown of the political obstacles remaining for SB 50, the sequel to Wiener's SB 827 (24:00). Finally, an interview with Sen. Wiener (43:00).

Previous Episode

L.A., Houston mayors on housing and homelessness

Matt and Liam were travelling and sick the past two weeks, so no conventional episode of Gimme Shelter this fortnight. Instead we present a collection of interviews with big city mayors on housing and homelessness. First, a live panel featuring Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg (1:55). CALmatters reporter Laurel Rosenhall moderated the panel earlier this month as part of the California Dream Project, a collaboration between CALmatters and major public radio stations across the state. Then Liam interviews former Houston Mayor Annise Parker on her efforts to reduce homelessness in a city without zoning laws (43:33). Liam conducted this interview in October. Link to full CA Dream mayors panel: https://calmatters.org/articles/california-mayors-tell-newsom-be-bold-on-homelessness/

Next Episode

Minneapolis just ended single family zoning. Will California follow suit?

Zoning reform-—changing how cities decide what types of homes can be built where—isn't just a hot topic in California. Minneapolis, Minnesota made national headlines as the first major city to eliminate single family zoning in an effort to lower the city's housing prices and redress racial inequities. Matt and Liam talk with Lisa Bender, president of the Minneapolis City Council, about the city's controversial plans (22:00). First, Gimme Shelter awards its second annual Avocado of the Year—the award given to the most absurd California housing story of 2018—to a very famous zip code (1:30). Then Matt and Liam recap the year in housing policy in one word (5:30) before predicting what under-the-radar stories housing nerds should be keeping an eye on in 2019. Finally, a holiday guilt-trip for our listeners. If you want to support the podcast, the best thing you can do besides donating to CALmatters and subscribing to the L.A. Times is to tweet the CALmatters and L.A. Times Twitter accounts and let them know what value you get from the pod.