Jason Islas

Below are some of the highlights of Jason’s work over the years, both original reporting and interviews with other news outlets.

Interviews and appearances

Santa Monica’s ‘grand bargain’ on growth and housing: A model for other cities? (L.A. Times)

Los Angeles Times architectural critic Christopher Hawthorne quotes Jason on Santa Monica’s proposed Downtown Community Plan update.

The Southland’s growing pains (KCRW)

Jason discusses the potential impacts of the draconian anti-growth ballot initiative, Measure LV, on Santa Monica.

Does LUVE hurt or help Santa Monica (KCRW)

Jason debates with proponents of an anti-development ballot measure about its potential impacts on Santa Monica.

Are rising prices turning Santa Monica into Beverly Hills-by-the-sea? (FT.com)

In an interview with the Financial Times, Jason addresses the rising cost of living in Santa Monica.

The city that wants to design itself happier (The Guardian)

Jason discusses the cost of living in Santa Monica and its impact on residents’ well-being.

Santa Monica looks to controversial rezoning (KPCC)

On AirTalk with Larry Mantle, Jason discusses plans to update Santa Monica’s outdated zoning laws.

Santa Monica Fights the Tide (L.A. Magazine)

Jason spoke with L.A. Magazine for its profile of Santa Monica as part of the publication’s “L.A. on the Verge” series, looking at the changes going on in the region.

Santa Monica: To Grow or Not to Grow? (KCRW)

Jason appeared on KCRW’s Press Play with Madeleine Brand to discuss his article, “Lack of Office Space, Housing Squeeze Santa Monica’s Tech Industry,” and the detrimental impact Santa Monica’s no-growth activists are having on the city.

Original journalism

Senate Bill 827, Equity, and Coalition Building in the YIMBY Movement(SBLA)

With Seven Dead in Traffic Incidents This Year, Where Does Santa Monica’s ‘Vision Zero’ Stand? (SMN)

Malibu Rejects Compromise Ahead of Thursday Discussion of School District Separation (SMN)

With California Lawmakers Back from Recess, Housing Crisis Is in the Crosshairs (SBLA)

California Lawmakers Call for Affordable Housing Funding, Fewer Obstacles to Growth (SBLA)

Lack of Housing Growth Compounding Inequality, Says CA Housing Dept. (SBLA)

Can We Cool It with the Ballot Box Planning Measures Already? (SBLA)

Coalition Grows in Opposition to Proposed No-Growth Ballot Initiative (SBLA)

Doubling Down on an Unsustainable Future (SBLA)

White House: “Artificial Constraints” on Housing Growth in Cities is Contributing to Economic Inequality (SMN)

Tackling Los Angeles’ Affordable Housing Crisis through Smart Growth (SBLA)

Santa Monica and the Myth of Overdevelopment (SMN)

Santa Monica Affordable Housing Advocates Back Senate Bill (The Lookout News)

Governor’s Veto Frustrates Santa Monica’s Affordable Housing Advocates (The Lookout News)

Expo Line Takes Shape in Santa Monica (The Lookout News)

Part I: Facing a $9 Million Deficit, Santa Monica Tightens Its Belt (The Lookout News

Part II: Santa Monica Faces Impending Deficit with Two-Pronged Strategy (The Lookout News)

Part I: Proposed Luxury Condos Spark Debate about Santa Monica’s Character (The Lookout News

Part II: Condos Are Essential to Building Santa Monica’s New Luxury Hotels, Developers Say (The Lookout News)

Shifting Policies Toward Youth Violence Has Long History in Santa Monica(The Lookout News)

Santa Monica College Recovers After Friday’s Shootout (The Lookout News)

Cracking Cold Cases in Santa Monica (The Lookout News)

Advances in Forensic Science Don’t Help Solve All of Santa Monica’s Cold Cases (The Lookout News)

Part I: Santa Monica’s Three-Decade Battle with Height (The Lookout News)

Part II: Lessons Learned in Santa Monica’s Historical Battle with Height (The Lookout News)