Landlords who raise rents sharply after disasters could face fines of up to $50,000.

Los Angeles County landlords that attempt to price gouge victims of the recent wildfires could face fines of up to $50,000 if a proposal by county supervisors is finalized, reports Rebecca Ellis in the Los Angeles Times.
“In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, California law generally prohibits landlords from charging more than 10% above what they were previously asking. Violators could face up to a year in jail and a fine of $10,000.” Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger want to see the penalties increase after reports of steeply increased rents.
Advocates say the move would be largely symbolic if it doesn’t come with stepped-up enforcement. Since the January fires, only two landlords have been charged with price gouging by the city attorney, though a tenant advocacy group says they have collected over 2,000 examples.
City officials in Los Angeles are also looking to regulate rent pricing software, which San Francisco banned, calling it “automated price-fixing.”
FULL STORY: In L.A. County, price-gouging landlords could soon face fines of $50,000

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie