Behind the scenes, a handful of real estate executives have been guiding the California Apartment Association’s never-ending push to stop any and all renter protections. CAA CEO Tom Bannon is one of them. So is …
Modern-Day Robber Baron: The Sins of Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman
Housing Is A Human Right presents another special report about the power players responsible for the housing affordability crisis. For this investigation, we examine Blackstone Group CEO and billionaire Stephen Schwarzman, one of the largest …
Barons of Big Real Estate Want You to Help Them Make Billions
In a few months, Californians will vote by mail or walk into the local polling place and decide if Proposition 21, the ballot measure that limits unfair rent increases, should be passed. For middle- and …
California’s Proposition 21 is a Movement About Justice, and Big Real Estate Is Scared Silly
From California to New York, the news has not been good. Millions losing their jobs and facing eviction. Unaffordable rents in every state in the nation. Homelessness surging in the suburbs. If there was ever …
California Apartment Association’s Barry Altshuler Doesn’t Want You to Know About Him
Outside the real estate industry, most Californians have never heard of Barry Altshuler, and he probably likes it that way. But as president of the California Apartment Association board of directors and executive vice president …
UPDATE: Top 10 Contributors Opposing Rent Control in California
Big Real Estate keeps pumping millions into campaigns that oppose Proposition 21, the November ballot measure that expands rent control in California. And in June, a new No on 21 committee was established, adding up …
Is Billionaire Geoffrey Palmer L.A.’s ‘Worst Developer’?
A few years ago, billionaire Geoffrey Palmer was crowned with an ignominious title: “Downtown L.A.’s worst developer.” It was easy to understand why. From building apartment complexes next to polluting freeways to getting sued for …
Will the Corporate Greed of Essex Property Trust CEO Mike Schall Destroy California?
For Essex Property Trust CEO Mike Schall, it’s all about the money — no matter who gets hurt. Slamming seniors with huge rent increases and forcing them out of their homes is a standard way …
Is Billionaire Landlord Sam Zell the Quintessential Corporate Vulture?
Sam Zell, chairman of Equity Residential and Equity LifeStyle Properties, is worth $4.8 billion. He has more money than he knows what to do with. Yet as Californians struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic and housing …
Tom Bannon and California Apartment Association Take No Prisoners to Stop Renter Protections
For years, no matter who’s suffering, the California Apartment Association, the most powerful landlord lobbying group in the state, has vigorously opposed tenant protections. Even during the global pandemic, the organization fought temporary safeguards for …