https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/house-speaker-rain-homeless-film-reviews/housing KCRW [KCRW_Logo_] * Listen Live * KCRW Live Eclectic 24 News 24 All Streams * All Streams * Music * News * Culture * Shows * Playlist * Schedule * Donate * Playlist * Schedule * * Donate Info Press Play with Madeleine Brand Podcast Listen 14 min Press Play with Madeleine Brand Lack of affordable housing in 'superstar cities' like LA exacerbate homelessness Jan. 05, 2023 Housing & Development Listen 14 min MORE Homeless encampments line Wilshire Blvd. in Mid City, Los Angeles, CA. Homeless encampments line Wilshire Blvd. in Mid City, Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Amy Ta/KCRW LA's growing homelessness crisis was the major issue in last year's mayoral race -- so much so that newly-elected Mayor Karen Bass has already declared a state of emergency, and directed local agencies to fast-track affordable housing and shelter applications. LA and other big coastal cities don't have enough affordable housing, which is the key driver of homelessness, argues Atlantic Staff Writer Jerusalem Demsas. "It's not really poverty that leads to homelessness. ... There are a lot of poor people in Utah, there are a lot of poor people in Detroit and Philadelphia, but we don't see the kinds of homelessness that we do in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, DC, New York City, Boston, because those areas do have affordable housing options," she says. She adds, "We're at the point where it may not even make sense for someone to take a high-paying job in Los Angeles because the amount in which they have to pay for rent is so high that the increase in wages does not actually make up for it." Keep KCRW Independent. KCRW is here to provide you with local news, music discovery, and cultural connection. Stay up to date with all things KCRW by signing up for our newsletters! And, if you can support our efforts, make a donation today. * Sign-up for our newsletters. * Make a donation. Credits Guest: * Jerusalem Demsas - staff writer at The Atlantic Host: Madeleine Brand Producers: Sarah Sweeney, Angie Perrin, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Brian Hardzinski, Bennett Purser, Marcelle Hutchins More from Press Play with Madeleine Brand What's bringing so much rain and flooding to CA? What's bringing so much rain and flooding to CA? Press Play with Madeleine Brand Jan 5 Everyone is heartbroken -- you can find connection and joy through pain, says poet Everyone is heartbroken -- you can find connection and joy through pain, says poet Press Play with Madeleine Brand Jan 4 'Screaming on the Inside' author on unfairness of parenting ideals in US 'Screaming on the Inside' author on unfairness of parenting ideals in US Press Play with Madeleine Brand Jan 3 Asteroid redirection, nuclear fusion: Celebrate 2022 scientific achievements Asteroid redirection, nuclear fusion: Celebrate 2022 scientific achievements Press Play with Madeleine Brand Dec 22 Latest Vote after vote: What will McCarthy do to become speaker? Vote after vote: What will McCarthy do to become speaker? Left, Right & Center Jan 6 'Avatar,' 'Top Gun' sequels deliver at the box office in 2022 'Avatar,' 'Top Gun' sequels deliver at the box office in 2022 Hollywood Breakdown Jan 6 Dr. Warren Hern: Humans are a metastasizing cancer terminating all life on the planet Dr. Warren Hern: Humans are a metastasizing cancer terminating all life on the planet Scheer Intelligence Jan 6 CA desert sees solar energy boom. How will it affect local plants, animals? CA desert sees solar energy boom. How will it affect local plants, animals? Greater LA Jan 5 From this Episode: What's bringing so much rain and flooding to CA? Kevin McCarthy still isn't House speaker. How long will this go on? California Congressman Kevin McCarthy has lost eight bids for House speaker in three days. The gridlock has thrown Congress into disarray. 12 min Expect more floods and blackouts in CA, stay linked to county ER services Several storms are rolling across California, bringing intense wind and flooding. They'll replenish but not totally fill reservoirs due to long-standing drought. 8 min Lack of affordable housing in 'superstar cities' like LA exacerbate homelessness Liberal cities in blue states are the epicenters of the country's growing homelessness crisis because not enough affordable housing is being built, says one Atlantic staff... 14 min 'M3gan' looks at dilemma of outsourcing parenting to tech Critics review the latest film releases: "M3gan," "Alcarras," "Mars One," and "A Man Called Otto." 16 min Share your passion for new experiences, sounds, & ideas Get Involved Featured Vote after vote: What will McCarthy do to become speaker? Left, Right & Center Vote after vote: What will McCarthy do to become speaker? 'Avatar,' 'Top Gun' sequels deliver at the box office in 2022 Hollywood Breakdown 'Avatar,' 'Top Gun' sequels deliver at the box office in 2022 Dr. Warren Hern: Humans are a metastasizing cancer terminating all life on the planet Scheer Intelligence Dr. Warren Hern: Humans are a metastasizing cancer terminating all life on the planet CA desert sees solar energy boom. How will it affect local plants, animals? Greater LA CA desert sees solar energy boom. How will it affect local plants, animals? 5 Things To Do Newsletter The best of what to see, hear, eat, do, and more. Upcoming Events View All KCRW KCRW-FM NPR KCRW Logo 89.9 FM * About KCRW * Contact * Careers * Help / FAQ * Fringe Benefits * Events * Become a Sponsor * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * FCC Public Files * FCC Applications * EEO Report * Pledge for Equity (c) 2023 KCRW All Rights Reserved. Made in L.A. 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