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A man was sentenced today to 25 years to life in state prison for the strangling murder of his wife in their Irvine apartment. Shalabh Rastogi, 42, Irvine, was found guilty by a jury on Nov. 17, 2015, of one felony count of first degree murder.

The City of Los Angeles today released a draft Homelessness Strategy Report, which lays the foundation for a regional approach to addressing this chronic issue. Drafted by the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst, the report was requested by the Homelessness and Poverty Committee in June and represents a commitment shared by Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council to scale up best practices for getting people off the streets and into homes

Six months after Mayor Rusty Bailey accepted the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness from President Obama, Riverside has successfully housed 89 homeless veterans within the city who had been identified as needing housing

“This is a celebration of the people of San Francisco that make our City great,” said Mayor Lee. “With a strong, diverse economy as the foundation for San Francisco’s continuing progress, we will tackle longstanding challenges like affordable housing and homelessness while making historic investments in our schools, transportation system and public safety network. I have dedicated 26 years of service to our City to make sure everyone has a chance to succeed, and I am humbled to be sworn in as Mayor of the ‘greatest City in the world’ for a second term.”

Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte) commended the State Water Resources Control Board for authorizing the sale of $1.2 billion in revenue bonds for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

“The people of Porter Ranch have been suffering too long in the shadow of the ongoing environmental disaster in Aliso Canyon, and the City of Los Angeles has been doing everything in its power to help residents cope with its effects.

“I am deeply disappointed in the harsh enforcement tactics the Department of Homeland Security is using to apprehend vulnerable migrant women and children. At a time when DHS is attempting to rebuild a relationship with Latino communities, the invasion of people’s homes and neighborhoods sows fear and distrust, and subjects migrant women and children to further trauma.

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is accepting grant applications for beach erosion control projects and beach restoration projects. The deadline to submit applications for the fiscal year 2017/18 state budget is Monday February 1, 2016.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement regarding the nearly $9 million award from the California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program Fall 2015 Funding Round funded by the State’s cap-and-trade auction proceeds for two affordable housing projects in San Francisco – approximately $2.3 million for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation Eddy and Taylor Family Housing project, which will develop 103 affordable housing units, and $6.5 million for the Mercy Housing 222 Beale Street project at Transbay Block 7 that will provide 120 affordable residential units

A Seal Beach man who operated a bogus mortgage rescue scheme – in which he made false promises to dozens distressed homeowners, filed fraudulent bankruptcies to delay foreclosure and rented the properties to third parties as the foreclosure proceedings were delayed – was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison.

The California Strategic Growth Council today unanimously approved $32.4 million in competitive grants and loans to eight housing and transit-friendly infrastructure projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

With just days to go before 2015 ends, Congress and Governor Brown have taken concrete steps to ensure that California continues to lead the country on solar power. Critical federal tax credits for solar and wind energy have been extended, and California regulators have proposed extending the state’s keystone solar net energy metering program, making it easier for Californians to go solar and to ensure that the state meets its clean energy goals

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced a bill to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to advance critical seismic safety and construction projects at VA facilities in San Francisco, Long Beach, Alameda Point, Fremont, French Camp and Los Angeles.

Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City) voted for the year-end omnibus bill to fund the government through the 2016 fiscal year. The $1.1 trillion spending bill provides critical money for education, environmental policy, medical research and transportation safety while avoiding destructive riders on California water policy and women’s health.

Silicon Valley's real estate community congratulated the Chinese American Real Estate Association (CAREA)'s 2015/2016 leadership team at its December 4 installation dinner held at Dynasty Seafood Restaurant in Cupertino. SILVAR President-elect Karen Trolan installed 2015/2016 CAREA President Coco Tan and CAREA's 2015/2016 officers and board of directors

HUD Secretary Julián Castro and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will award the Housing Authority of the City of Sacramento $2,700,000 in grant funding for the Jobs Plus Pilot program as part of a $100 million investment in locally-based programs aimed to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes for residents of public housing through work readiness programs, employer linkages, job placement, and financial literacy. The City of Sacramento Housing Authority was one of only eight recipients nationwide.

Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced the roll-out of a revamped solar energy program, which will enable thousands of Angelenos to produce and utilize solar power with greater speed and efficiency

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) – a state committee formed by the legislature to advance local community revitalization efforts – has awarded $15 million in new grants for affordable housing projects in L.A. The City has received $30 million total this year from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program.

"The more you tax something, the less of it you get. That's why lowering taxes on economic productivity and Americans' take-home pay is so critical. California's businesses and families should be able to keep more of what they earn, it's as simple as that," said Rep. Royce. "Today's legislation makes certain temporary tax breaks permanent, encourages more investments in research and development, and lays the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform.”

U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee and leading proponent of housing finance reform, released the following statement on today's release of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) 2016 Scorecard