1st of the Month - LeSar Portfolio of Firms

Bringing you updates on legislation, policy, and other news relating to affordable housing, homelessness, and sustainable communities.

April 2025

FEDERAL UPDATES

Trump Administration Actions Continue to Impact Housing and Homelessness

The Trump administration continues to adopt policies and implement changes that have a drastic impact on housing and homelessness, driven by its cost-cutting and bureaucracy reduction efforts.

Meanwhile, other lawmakers and organizations are attempting to limit the impact of such actions on those most in need.

by Jennifer LeSar

Founder and CEO

LeSar Portfolio of Firms

Continuing Resolution Keeps Most Funding Levels Through September 2025

Following dramatic budget negotiations, Congress passed and President Trump signed a continuing resolution (CR) that averted a potential government shutdown and keeps the government open through September 2025, which is the end of FY 25.

While the CR largely extends existing funding levels, it does cut $13B in domestic funding and proposes $4.6B in additional funding for key HUD programs. The CR also does not address the looming debt ceiling, which the US is likely to hit in the summer of 2025.

STATE UPDATES

State Bills Continue to Be Amended and Heard in Committees

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas kicked off the 2025-26 California legislative session in January with a very public commitment to combat the state's soaring cost of living. So far, this has manifested through members hosting hearings that examine issues ranging from housing affordability to the cost of groceries.

Republicans have offered an “affordability legislative package," while the Democrats have held hearings to address this issue, including the Assembly Select Committee on Permit Reform.

Status of the Governor’s Reorganization Plan for a California and Housing and Homelessness Agency

The Governor’s 2025-26 Budget Summary, released in January, proposed the creation of a California Housing and Homelessness Agency and a California Consumer Protection Agency using the formal governmental reorganization process, which will begin before the end of March.

The Administration presented an overview of the proposal in budget subcommittee hearings at the end of March and will formally present the proposal to the Little Hoover Commission to consider within 60 days. The schedule for the Commission’s public hearings will not be published until after the Administration submits the plan.

by Holly Fraumeni de Jesus

Political Consultant

Lighthouse Public Affairs

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Sr. Associate Levels 1-3, Finance & Development

LeSar Development Consultants

Working within the LDC Housing Team, this position strategizes, creates, and executes client-focused scopes of work primarily focused on affordable housing development, finance, and feasibility.

Senior Learning & Development Specialist – Housing Practice

Global Policy Leadership Academy

With direction from the Team Manager and the Managing Director of GPLA’s Global Housing Practice, this position collaborates with the GPLA team to help establish the vision, direction, and tone for the team’s housing, social housing, and homelessness curriculum work, including that of GPLA’s Communities of Practice program.

Bookkeeper

LeSar Holdings

Working within the LeSar Holdings finance team, this position is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records across a portfolio of companies by recording, managing, and monitoring all financial transactions. This role includes handling accounts payable, balance sheet reconciliation, month-end, and preparing financial reports to ensure the company's financial health and compliance with regulations.

RECENT INDUSTRY REPORTS

2025 California Legislative Preview: Rebuilding, Accelerating Production and Funding Affordable Housing | Terner Center for Housing | March 2025
California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program: AHSC Impact Report, Rounds 1 to 8 | California Housing Partnership and Enterprise Community Partners | March 2025
The 2025 California Affordable Housing Pipeline | Enterprise Community Partners | March 2025
No State Has an Adequate Supply of Affordable Rental Housing for the Lowest-Income Renters | National Low Income Housing Coalition | March 2025
Governor Newsom expands first-in-the-nation program to transform underutilized state land into affordable housing | Office of Governor Gavin Newsom | February 2025
State of California Accountability | State of California | February 2025

WHAT WE'RE READING

‘Quiet Panic’ as National Rental Assistance Program Set to Run Out of Cash | CalMatters | March 18, 2025
Affordable Housing Threatened as Trump Halts $1 Billion Slated for Extending Life of Aging Buildings | AP | March 12, 2025
Trump DEI Purge Hits Affordable Housing Groups | Bloomberg | March 12, 2025
Builders Stockpile Lumber, Swap Out Materials to Work Around Tariffs | WSJ | March 11, 2025
Apartment, Multifamily Housing Groups Ask Trump to Review Housing Regulations | Smart Cities Dive | March 10, 2025
How California Homeless Programs Are Helping People Get Fit and Off the Streets: ‘It’s The Bike’ | CalMatters | March 10, 2025
They Tried to Pay Their Overdue Rent. Their Landlord Wouldn’t Accept It. | CalMatters | March 10, 2025
Trump Is on Track to Ditch a Time-Tested Approach to Combating Homelessness | Vox | March 7, 2025
Los Angeles Stops Accepting New Applicants for Section 8, Citing Budget Uncertainty in Washington | Los Angeles Times | March 6, 2025
Renters, Builders Defend San Diego's ADU Program as Council Backs Off Repeal Effort | KPBS | March 5, 2025

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With a diverse range of subject matter expertise and an unwavering commitment to equity, access, and excellence, the LeSar portfolio of companies is uniquely positioned to drive the systemic changes and capacity building necessary to address the housing affordability and homelessness crises.

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