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Real Conversations, Real Estate

During a time of great uncertainty and rapid change, connection and information is a more important resource than ever before. Today's issues could be amplified or altered in a matter of days or hours, so it is vital that organizations and thought leaders frequently share knowledge, dispel rumors, and offer insight.

Hosted by Professor and Lusk Center Director Richard K. Green, Lusk Perspectives offers timely analysis and shares accurate data vetted by leading experts on the latest developments and observations concerning policy, real estate, urban economics and more.

Once interviews are conducted, resources and videos will be made available here and on podcast channels as soon as possible.

Latest Perspectives

The Promise and Limits of California’s Housing Reform Watch Now

The Promise and Limits of California’s Housing Reform
Shane Phillips Housing Initiative Project Manager

California’s recent wave of pro-housing legislation has opened the door for more development on single-family lots and urban infill sites, but how much progress have we really made?

Shane Phillips (UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to trace California’s evolving policy landscape, from accessory dwelling units to long-overdue CEQA reform.

The conversation moves from the success of recent ADU regulations to the barriers slowing smaller-scale infill and condo development. Cost structures, ownership models, and building standards all shape housing supply. Phillips and Green discuss how policy could better balance affordability, density, and quality of life across Southern California.

Highlights include:

  • Why recent ADU laws succeeded where earlier reforms fell short.
  • Potential condo liability reforms to encourage smaller-scale housing ownership.
  • How construction costs constrain “missing middle” infill.
  • The trade-offs of eliminating single-room occupancy housing in US cities.
  • How ownership models shape neighborhood attitudes and investment.

UCLA Housing Voice Podcast

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From Clicks to Bricks: The Everyday Decisions Rebuilding Retail Watch Now

From Clicks to Bricks: The Everyday Decisions Rebuilding Retail
Rachel Elias Wein Founder and CEO

How are retailers adapting to a changing consumer base and evolving real estate needs?

Rachel Elias Wein (WeinPlus) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to explore what’s next for retail. From data centers to neighborhood shopping centers, consumer behavior is driving change. The conversation spotlights how ownership models, store management, and customer habits are reshaping commercial property strategy.

Highlights include:

  • Why some retailers sell off their real estate while others buy it back.
  • How energy access impacts location strategy.
  • What restaurants bring to retail destinations despite tenant turnover risks.
  • The strong link between store-manager tenure and store profitability.
  • Why omnichannel customers are the most valuable, and how real estate plays a role in retention.

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Measuring the Shortfall: Benchmarking LA’s Housing Crisis Watch Now

Measuring the Shortfall: Benchmarking LA’s Housing Crisis
Jorge De la Roca Associate Professor

What do supply numbers tell us about LA County’s housing crisis, and how can research guide next steps?

Jorge De la Roca (USC Price) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to discuss the findings of the 2025 State of Los Angeles County Housing (SOLACHAN) Report.

At the center of their conversation is the modern city dilemma: while cities drive economic vitality, they also create steep costs of living. In LA County, permitting delays, demographic shifts, and a mismatch between incomes and supply add up to a housing market that’s falling short.

Highlights include:

  • Why building a multifamily project in LA takes nearly twice as long as the national average.
  • Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are driving new supply, but may not translate to housing.
  • The widening income split between renters.
  • Demographic shifts show fewer families and declining Black residents in LA.
  • Why the favored model of filtering can’t take hold at current levels of housing production.

 

Explore the SOLACHAN Report

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