Housing expert Q&As

For our ongoing Q&A series, our collaborative speaks with housing experts across the Sacramento region to explore factors contributing to our housing crisis and to uncover some of the most promising solutions.

Outgoing Sacramento Housing Alliance Executive Director Kendra Lewis on how affordable housing is now receiving the attention it deserves — Kendra Lewis is the outgoing executive director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Outgoing Sacramento Housing Alliance Executive Director Kendra Lewis on how affordable housing is now receiving the attention it deserves

January 5, 2023March 15, 2023

Retiring Capitol Area Development Authority Executive Director Wendy Saunders sees ‘micro-units’ as one solution to the housing crisis — Wendy Saunders is the executive director of the Capitol Area Development Authority in Sacramento. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Retiring Capitol Area Development Authority Executive Director Wendy Saunders sees ‘micro-units’ as one solution to the housing crisis

January 5, 2023August 8, 2023

Mutual Housing California CEO Roberto Jimenez on the challenges of meeting the demand for affordable housing — Roberto Jimenez is the CEO of Mutual Housing California, an affordable housing developer. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Mutual Housing California CEO Roberto Jimenez on the challenges of meeting the demand for affordable housing

January 5, 2023March 15, 2023

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento CEO Leah Miller on how we need to look at affordable housing as a spectrum — Leah Miller is the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento CEO Leah Miller on how we need to look at affordable housing as a spectrum

January 13, 2023March 15, 2023

Housing expert Cathy Creswell pinpoints regulation, land-use reform and incentives as needed to address California’s housing crisis — Cathy Creswell has more than 30 years of experience in affordable housing. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Housing expert Cathy Creswell pinpoints regulation, land-use reform and incentives as needed to address California’s housing crisis

January 17, 2023March 15, 2023

Assembly Housing Committee Chair Buffy Wicks on how the state is moving the needle on housing affordability — Buffy Wicks is the chair of the Assembly Housing Committee in the State Legislature. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Assembly Housing Committee Chair Buffy Wicks on how the state is moving the needle on housing affordability

January 20, 2023March 15, 2023

Housing advocate Diane Luther says Sacramento region has land on which to build — what it needs is a permanent source of money — Diane Luther is a long-time affordable housing advocate in Sacramento. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Housing advocate Diane Luther says Sacramento region has land on which to build — what it needs is a permanent source of money

January 24, 2023March 15, 2023

Del Paso Boulevard Partnership Executive Director Daniel Savala talks about how more affordable housing also helps local businesses — Daniel Savala is the executive director of the Del Paso Boulevard Partnership, which advocates for more affordable housing in the area. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Del Paso Boulevard Partnership Executive Director Daniel Savala talks about how more affordable housing also helps local businesses

January 30, 2023March 15, 2023

Economic mobility adviser Michael Tubbs says inequities and old narratives about multifamily housing need to be fixed — Michael Tubbs serves as an economic adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom and has launched a nonprofit called End Poverty In California. (Photo courtesy of Marc Levin/Blowback Productions)

Economic mobility adviser Michael Tubbs says inequities and old narratives about multifamily housing need to be fixed

February 2, 2023March 15, 2023

North State Building Industry Association CEO Michael Strech urges government to remove barriers to increase home production — Michael Strech is the president and CEO of the North State Building Industry Association. (Courtesy photo)

North State Building Industry Association CEO Michael Strech urges government to remove barriers to increase home production

February 7, 2023March 15, 2023

Real-estate consultant Greg Paquin on how Sacramento’s lack of housing affordability impacts younger generations — Greg Paquin runs The Gregory Group, with an office in Folsom. (Courtesy photo)

Real-estate consultant Greg Paquin on how Sacramento’s lack of housing affordability impacts younger generations

February 7, 2023March 15, 2023

New Capitol Area Development Authority Executive Director Danielle Foster sees partnerships as a promising path to more affordable housing — Danielle Foster is the executive director of the Capitol Area Development Authority. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

New Capitol Area Development Authority Executive Director Danielle Foster sees partnerships as a promising path to more affordable housing

February 14, 2023March 15, 2023

Housing California’s Chione Flegal on California’s ‘growing’ and ‘persistent’ lack of affordable housing — Chione Flegal is the executive director of Housing California. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Housing California’s Chione Flegal on California’s ‘growing’ and ‘persistent’ lack of affordable housing

March 1, 2023July 4, 2024

Roseville’s Development Services Director Mike Isom addresses the city’s need for affordable housing — Mike Isom is the development services director for the City of Roseville. (Photo courtesy City of Roseville)

Roseville’s Development Services Director Mike Isom addresses the city’s need for affordable housing

April 10, 2023April 12, 2023

Sacramento Housing Alliance Policy Director Peter Cohen on how affordable housing solutions boil down to money, land and capacity — Peter Cohen is the policy director of Sacramento Housing Alliance. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Sacramento Housing Alliance Policy Director Peter Cohen on how affordable housing solutions boil down to money, land and capacity

April 13, 2023April 13, 2023

Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange CEO Timothy Murphy speaks on the value of wraparound services to address homelessness — Tim Murphy is the CEO of Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange CEO Timothy Murphy speaks on the value of wraparound services to address homelessness

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023

Sacramento Steps Forward CEO Lisa Bates on addressing homelessness through a comprehensive, collective approach — Lisa Bates is CEO of Sacramento Steps Forward. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Sacramento Steps Forward CEO Lisa Bates on addressing homelessness through a comprehensive, collective approach

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023

Hope Cooperative CEO Erin Johansen on partnerships to address homelessness, from city and county agreements to nonprofit collaborations — Erin Johansen is the CEO of Hope Cooperative, which provides supportive housing and mental health services in Sacramento County. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Hope Cooperative CEO Erin Johansen on partnerships to address homelessness, from city and county agreements to nonprofit collaborations

August 30, 2023September 6, 2023

Urban Capital developer John Vignocchi on how smarter policies could increase Sacramento’s housing inventory and improve affordability — John Vignocchi is the founder and managing partner of Urban Capital. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Urban Capital developer John Vignocchi on how smarter policies could increase Sacramento’s housing inventory and improve affordability

September 14, 2023September 14, 2023

Sacramento County behavioral health manager Sheri Green on bridging the housing gap — Sheri Green is a division manager for Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Sacramento County behavioral health manager Sheri Green on bridging the housing gap

October 3, 2023October 3, 2023

House Sacramento co-founder Kevin Dumler says reimagining zoning is key to solving the affordability crisis — Kevin Dumler is a co-founder and director of House Sacramento, which advocates for sustainable, inclusive and affordable housing. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

House Sacramento co-founder Kevin Dumler says reimagining zoning is key to solving the affordability crisis

October 9, 2023November 29, 2023

ACCE Sacramento’s Jovana Fajardo says grassroots organizing is crucial to solving the housing crisis — Jovana Fajardo helms the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Sacramento division. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

ACCE Sacramento’s Jovana Fajardo says grassroots organizing is crucial to solving the housing crisis

October 16, 2023November 29, 2023

New leader of Sacramento Housing Alliance Jonathan Cook calls housing ‘foundational need’ as he takes the helm — Jonathan Cook is the executive director of the Sacramento Housing Alliance (Photo by Andrew Nixon, CapRadio)

New leader of Sacramento Housing Alliance Jonathan Cook calls housing ‘foundational need’ as he takes the helm

October 23, 2023November 29, 2023

Housing California’s Policy Director Christopher Martin on ‘adopting solutions at scale’ to move the needle on housing — Christopher Martin is the policy director for Housing California. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Housing California’s Policy Director Christopher Martin on ‘adopting solutions at scale’ to move the needle on housing

November 1, 2023November 29, 2023

West Sacramento City Manager Aaron Laurel has a passion for affordable housing — Aaron Laurel has been city manager of West Sacramento since 2018. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

West Sacramento City Manager Aaron Laurel has a passion for affordable housing

November 27, 2023November 29, 2023

Sacramento Community Land Trust Executive Director Tamika L’Ecluse on enabling homeownership in historically disinvested communities — Tamika L’Ecluse is the executive director of the Sacramento Community Land Trust. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Sacramento Community Land Trust Executive Director Tamika L’Ecluse on enabling homeownership in historically disinvested communities

January 16, 2024January 19, 2024

Community organizer Hazel Watson on the power of relationship-building as a pathway to stronger communities — Hazel Watson is a community organizer with Sacramento Area Congregations Together. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Community organizer Hazel Watson on the power of relationship-building as a pathway to stronger communities

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency’s La Shelle Dozier on the role of policy, funding and public perception on affordable housing — La Shelle Dozier is the executive director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency’s La Shelle Dozier on the role of policy, funding and public perception on affordable housing

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s Liz Lorand Williams on creating a pro-housing city — Liz Lorand Williams is the policy manager for Downtown Sacramento Partnership. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s Liz Lorand Williams on creating a pro-housing city

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024

Hope Cooperative CEO April Ludwig on continued advocacy for housing policies and wraparound services — April Ludwig is the CEO of Hope Cooperative. (Photo by Fred Greaves)

Hope Cooperative CEO April Ludwig on continued advocacy for housing policies and wraparound services

December 10, 2024December 10, 2024

HomeAid Sacramento’s Amber Lane Celmer on how the building industry can step up to the housing crisis — Amber Lane Celmer is the executive director of HomeAid Sacramento. (Photo by Dylan Nester)

HomeAid Sacramento’s Amber Lane Celmer on how the building industry can step up to the housing crisis

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025

Sacramento Valley Tenants Union’s Daniela Harvey on the power of collective action for tenant rights — Daniela Harvey is an organizer for the Sacramento Valley Tenants Union, which helps educate and organize for tenant rights. (Photo by Ruth Finch)

Sacramento Valley Tenants Union’s Daniela Harvey on the power of collective action for tenant rights

June 25, 2025June 26, 2025