David Wagner reports on housing for LAist.
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Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges Thursday against five men accused of engaging in unlicensed contracting work in the Eaton Fire burn zone. In a news conference, Hochman said unlicensed contractors may promise to rebuild destroyed homes faster and cheaper, but they can expose homeowners to faulty workmanship, liability for worker injuries and sometimes outright theft. “This increases the likelihood of fraud,” Hochman said. “You’re going to give them a whole bunch of money upfront, and you may never see them again.”With ICE raids causing families to lose income, Southeast L.A. city is the latest to give tenants a safeguard if they’ve fallen behind on rent.A proposed city fee update would have dramatically increased how much people have to pay to appeal approvals of new housing projects.The lawsuit alleges politicians illegally blocked a state housing density law in neighborhoods rebuilding from the Palisades and Eaton fires.If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.The defendants have not yet been arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to prosecutors. It’s not yet clear if each has an attorney. In four separate complaints, the district attorney alleges the men were contracting without licenses during a natural disaster, a felony violation of California’s business and professions code.Hochman said an investigation by his office found the men knew they were operating without a license but held out their services to fire victims anyway.Hydee Feldstein Soto called an opposing side’s expert witness for campaign money before a high-profile trial this fall. Her campaign says she didn’t know about the connection.As deadlines loom, fire survivors call for more mortgage help A state law extended mortgage forbearance for up to a year, but survivors say there’s far more to do. Rebuilding is just getting underway for many families. Most have yet to break ground, but a small group of homeowners L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, said at the news conference that homeowners should turn to vetted lists of licensed contractors as they map out their plans.Hochman said the defendants are expected to be arraigned Jan. 8. You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead . Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community. Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.One of SoCal's most infamous roads has reopened, but locals don't want you to know — for good reason
Eaton Fire Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman Unlicensed Contractors
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