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Ripples from wildfires' property damage extend beyond Los Angeles market

Jan 20, 2025
With inventory reduced and fire risk increased, both home prices and insurance rates could rise in Southern California.
"Supply and demand is very possibly going to shift and have housing become more expensive than it already is," said real estate agent Lexie Newman.
David McNew/Getty Images

"It's been a bad dream": What one Altadena renter is facing after her home burned

Jan 16, 2025
Claire Contreras, an elementary school teacher, reflects on the challenges of trying to find long-term places to stay after losing her home.
A firefighter carries a ladder past a burnt apartment in Altadena on Jan. 8.
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Unhoused Angelenos face limited support amid LA fires

"Twin challenges" arise as Los Angeles continues to face massive wildfire destruction in a tight housing market.
"In Los Angeles, only 30% of folks experiencing homelessness are in shelters," said Alex Visotzky at the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Above, an unhoused man sits next to his belongings as a home burns in the background in the Palisades Fire.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Empty nesters own some prime real estate. And they don't seem very interested in leaving it.

Dec 10, 2024
There are more than 20 million households with at least two empty bedrooms, no kids, owned and occupied for more than a decade by people over 55.
Empty nester households are commonplace in Buffalo, Cleveland or Detroit, but younger adults are preferring to live in more urban areas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

A shift toward townhouses could address some of America's housing woes

Nov 12, 2024
Medium-density housing is cheaper than traditional homes and might be a better fit for today's American family, says columnist Heather Long.
High-rise apartment buildings are largely not being built in the U.S. Instead, townhouses, like the ones above, are having a moment.
Benjamin C Tankersley/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Why housing inflation looks sticky

Sep 30, 2024
August's personal consumption expenditures index clocked in at 2.2%. That's down from July, but the housing category is one of the slowest to cool.
Housing inflation is stubborn, in part, because there's simply not enough housing.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Apartment rents aren't rising as quickly anymore, but remain far higher than pre-pandemic

Sep 3, 2024
In New York the median rent for a one-bedroom just crossed $4,500, by one estimate.
A milestone few New Yorkers are celebrating: The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment there is currently $4,500.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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At the DNC, mayors underscore need for affordable housing

Aug 20, 2024
"[Housing] is the leading issue that American mayors cite when talking about the big challenges facing their cities," said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Mayors at the Democratic National Convention on Monday.
Nova Safo/Marketplace

California governor pushes for homeless crackdown in wake of Supreme Court decision

Ann Oliva of the National Alliance to End Homelessness says Gov. Gavin Newsom's policy of clearing encampments could make things worse.
"Our elected leaders need to commit to long-term solutions, because this problem wasn't created overnight and it's not going to be solved overnight," said Ann Oliva of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Why do mortgage rates move when the Fed keeps interest rates stable?

Aug 8, 2024
The federal funds rate, set by the Federal Reserve, is just the first layer that goes into determining mortgage rates.
There’s more that goes into mortgage rates than just the federal funds rate, which the Federal Reserve sets.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images