Lauren Hepler

A hidden epidemic of death lurks in California's homeless shelters, where violence and unhealthy conditions drive people back on the streets.

California’s homeless shelters are supposed to be safe havens. But records show they’re ineffective — and rife with abuse and scandal.

Internal reports on deaths, disease, abuse and overdoses will give the public a rare glimpse inside taxpayer-funded shelters.

California's unemployment system crashed during the pandemic. Now, the system continues to see fraud and questions about its funding model.

CalMatters challenges LA homeless authority’s argument that shelter complaint reports are exempt from public disclosure.

The Supreme Court’s decision on homelessness will test a shelter system that’s full of problems – and lacking accountability.

California’s homeless shelter security industry is opening a new front in the housing crisis that’s ripe for abuse but thin on oversight.

Workers from across California share how challenges with EDD unemployment benefits led to lost housing, debt and family struggles.

The state’s job safety net is getting an overhaul from the likes of Salesforce and Amazon. Workers and experts warn of obstacles to come.

One California family is haunted by their youngest son’s increasingly frantic — and futile — attempts to break through the EDD’s jammed unemployment lines.