Homelessness in California has reached new highs, with almost a third of renters now spending more than half their income on rent and utilities. In response to these challenges, the Center for Economics of Social Issues (CESI) at California Lutheran University will host a conference titled “California’s Housing Crisis: Roots of the Problem and What Lies Ahead” on February 19. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lundring Events Center on the university’s campus.
“The truth behind CESI’s research numbers is that working families are struggling for stability, dignity and the fundamental right to a decent life,” said Jamshid Damooei, Ph.D., executive director of CESI.
The conference is organized around findings from CESI’s 2026 report on housing in California. Damooei will present expanded findings from this comprehensive report during the event.
“With our research, we hope to help solve the housing affordability crisis by presenting reliable data and sparking conversations,” Damooei said.
The program includes speakers who will discuss common beliefs about markets and profitability, as well as what successful communities look like. Ruslan Korchagin, a doctoral candidate, will deliver a keynote speech focusing on children’s homelessness in Ventura County and its wider socioeconomic effects.
Bruce Stenslie, president and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative, will moderate a panel featuring leaders in housing policy. The panelists—Linda Braunschweiger (CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County), Rudy Espinoza (CEO of Inclusive Action for the City), Tracy McAulay (housing solutions director for Ventura County), and Lucas Zucker (co-executive director at CAUSE)—will discuss possible policy solutions at different levels of government.
Among the study findings to be presented are several disparities: women-led households are 22% less likely to own their homes compared to all households; Black households experience high rates of rent burden, with 65% affected and 39% facing severe burdens; homeownership among people aged 25-44 stands at just under 24%, rising to about 31% for those aged 45-59; one out of every five homes in California is owned by investors; since 2000, rents have increased by 40%, while renter incomes have only risen by 9%.
“Too many people in our state have grown accustomed to the housing affordability crisis,” said Gerhard Apfelthaler, Ph.D., dean of Cal Lutheran’s School of Management. “But we cannot ignore that a significant proportion of the state’s families are in despair.”
California Lutheran University is located at 60 W. Olsen Road in Thousand Oaks. Attendance is free for Cal Lutheran faculty, staff, and students; tickets cost $50 for community members and $30 for alumni. Registration information can be found at CalLutheran.edu/cesi-tickets.
CESI operates as an academic center within California Lutheran University focused on exploring economic aspects related to social progress and human rights through research resources and events.
Founded in 1959, California Lutheran University enrolls over 2,200 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 graduate students from dozens of countries. It has been federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016.
