Once upon a time, Venice was affordable. Heck, when I was young it was on the cheaper side.
Those days are long gone. But loss of affordable housing doesn't happen on its own.
Beyond Baroque is currently hosting writer/activist/documentarian Judy Branfman's Where Has All the (affordable) Housing Gone? In Search of Lost Rent-Control Housing in Venice. More than 270 rent-controlled buildings have vanished from the market in Venice, many (but not all) via the Ellis Act. That means nearly 1400 rent-controlled units have been made unavailable to renters.
The exhibit runs until November 4, but the event page invites attendees to "Join us for Tours and Conversation: October 14 & 28, 1-5pm", so if that interests you, clear your calendar for this Saturday or for the Saturday after next.
In the interest of full disclosure, I assisted with one data-related task leading up to this exhibit. I was shocked and dismayed, and you just might be, too. Do explore the Ellis Act map!
About C.C. de Vere
C.C. is a fourth-generation Angeleno and is horrified at what greed and hubris are doing to Los Angeles.
This website was built by her preservation pals at Esotouric.
