The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, is under fire for planning to sell the land where the homes were burning in the palisades fire – to investors – while the fire was still out of control.
He was on the phone with the c before the fire was even 6% contained trying to ‘move forward’ the sale to investors and planning the use for low-income housing.
A smiling and giddy Newsom saying,
“I was just talking to Josh Green, the governor of down in Hawaii, who had some ideas around some land concerns he has around speculators coming in, buying up properties — So we’re already working with our legal teams to move those things forward, and we’ll be presenting those in a matter of days, not just weeks”
Newsom had a rapid response to potential land speculation in fire-damaged areas with critics claiming a more nefarious plan and point to the immediate post fire sale of land to Chinese investors and his plans for low income housing in the areas as proof.
The fire started on January 7 – by January 10 the blaze had already burned over 37,000 acres across the Palisades and related Eaton fires, with containment levels hovering around just 6%
Nearly 90,000 residents were evacuated.
It was at this point that Newsom was already planning for post fire plans, even though the fires were still raging and far from contained.
Newsom’s excited demeanor during the interview has been widely criticized. Many point to him performing a shoulder shimmy—along with a smile and chuckle.
Chinese buyers snatched up about 36% of home purchases exacerbating the state’s housing shortage and driving up costs for local families – with Chinese investors purchasing 30% of all land in Altadena
Meanwhile Senate Bill 79 (SB 79) mandates high-rise apartments—up to 75 feet tall—in single-family zones near transit, targeting low-income units. The move did not get any local input.
In June Governor Newsom signed a budget with over 60 housing bills streamlining high-density approvals for affordable units – low-income housing, apartments, multi-family structures etc. for low-income people in fire ravaged areas.
In addition A Senate bill that specifically allows Los Angeles to purchase fire-damaged lots (at next to nothing prices ) for low-income housing passed, targeting households below 60% of median income.
