section_path: Impact/Housing
section_name: Housing
paragraph_text: Housing
  
  During the fires, LA-area landlords raised the cost of rent substantially by an average of 15–20%, with many rents almost doubling, causing many newly homeless to have difficulty finding somewhere to stay. This violated California price gouging laws, which prevented an increase of more than 10% during an emergency. Some hotels offered discounted rates for those displaced, while others increased their rates substantially even for those who had already booked. The destruction of a large number of homes is anticipated to further strain the housing supply in Southern California.
  
  During the fires, LA-area landlords raised the cost of rent substantially by an average of 15–20%, with many rents almost doubling, causing many newly homeless to have difficulty finding somewhere to stay. This violated California price gouging laws, which prevented an increase of more than 10% during an emergency. Some hotels offered discounted rates for those displaced, while others increased their rates substantially even for those who had already booked. The destruction of a large number of homes is anticipated to further strain the housing supply in Southern California.