HUD Staffing Crisis Threatens Housing Programs
HUD proposed reorganizing after losing 35% of staff, then withdrew the plan unexpectedly. What it means for housing programs and landlords in 2027.
A California 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Preserving Affordable Housing by Empowering Independent Landlords
Small landlords are the backbone of affordable housing. We give them the tools, training, and support to stay in the game — so tenants stay in their homes.
A Housing Problem Hiding in Plain Sight
91%
Small-Scale Landlords
The vast majority of rental housing in America is owned by independent landlords with fewer than 10 units — not corporations.
20–40%
Rent Increases After Sale
When small landlords sell to institutional buyers, rents rise sharply — displacing the tenants who could least afford it.
1 in 4
Considering Selling
A quarter of independent landlords are thinking about exiting. Without intervention, millions of affordable units are at risk.
Keep Landlords In. Keep Tenants Home.
When independent landlords exit, affordable housing disappears. Corporate buyers raise rents, reduce maintenance, and optimize for profit over people.
LeaseBase Housing Foundation intervenes at the point of greatest leverage: the landlord's decision to stay or sell. Through education, technology access, and community support, we help small landlords operate sustainably — preserving the housing their tenants depend on.
1
Landlord Struggles
Compliance burden, isolation, outdated tools
2
Foundation Intervenes
Education, technology, community
3
Landlord Stabilizes
Compliant, confident, connected
4
Housing Preserved
Tenants stay, rents stable, community intact
Three Pillars of Preservation
Technology Access
Free and subsidized access to modern property management tools — compliance tracking, maintenance coordination, and financial oversight that levels the playing field with institutional operators.
Education & Capacity Building
Workshops, webinars, and guides covering fair housing law, local ordinances, tenant communication, and financial management — taught by practitioners, not theorists.
Research & Advocacy
Original research on landlord retention, policy analysis, and data-driven advocacy that centers the lived experience of small-scale housing providers and their tenants.
Our Impact Goals
Year 1 Target
500
Units Preserved
Affordable rental units kept in independent ownership through landlord retention programs.
Year 1 Target
100
Landlords Retained
Independent landlords supported through education, tools, and community — choosing to stay rather than sell.
Year 1 Target
1,000
Violations Prevented
Compliance violations avoided through proactive education and technology-assisted monitoring.
Year 1 Target
250
Landlords Trained
Housing providers completing workshops on fair housing, local law, and sustainable property management.
Board of Directors
RA
Rachid Abadli
President & DirectorFounder and CTO of LeaseBase Inc. Engineering executive with 12+ years across fintech, SaaS, cybersecurity, and defense. UC Davis CS, Sac State MBA (Finance), Harvard Business School. Independent landlord who built the Foundation to ensure small-scale housing providers have the same tools as institutional operators.
SC
Sequoia Carter
Secretary & DirectorFounder of ReBirth Design & Development and architectural designer with 14+ years of experience spanning K-12 schools, healthcare, and housing. Cal Poly SLO BArch graduate focused on attainable homeownership through infill and small-scale development in Sacramento.
Who We Are
LeaseBase Housing Foundation is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2026 with a single conviction: the fastest way to lose affordable housing is to lose the landlords who provide it.
We work at the intersection of technology, education, and policy to give independent landlords the same operational advantages that large property management companies take for granted — without the profit motive that drives displacement.
Our technology partner, LeaseBase Inc., provides the platform infrastructure that makes our programs possible. The Foundation ensures these tools reach the landlords who need them most — and that the insights generated inform better housing policy.
Get Involved
For Landlords
Access free compliance tools, attend workshops, and connect with other independent landlords building sustainable housing businesses.
Get StartedFor Funders
Support programs that preserve affordable housing at scale. Your investment prevents displacement and strengthens communities.
Partner With UsFor Community
Join our network of housing advocates, researchers, and organizers working to keep affordable housing in community hands.
ConnectLatest Research & Insights
How Code Enforcement Affects Small Landlords — and What to Do About It
Code enforcement can be a constructive tool for improving housing quality or a driver of small landlord exit. Understanding the process and responding proactively is essential for independent landlords in California.
Community Land Trusts: A Tool for Permanent Affordable Housing Preservation
Community land trusts offer a model for permanently removing housing from speculative markets. As California’s affordable housing subsidy pipeline faces expiration cliffs, CLTs are gaining traction as a preservation tool.
Tenant Retention Strategies for Independent Landlords
Long-term tenants are the most valuable asset in a small rental portfolio. This guide covers practical tenant retention strategies for independent landlords — and explains why retention is one of the most underappreciated tools for affordable housing preservation.
California Habitability Standards: A Practical Guide for Landlords
California’s implied warranty of habitability requires landlords to maintain specific living conditions throughout a tenancy. This guide explains the legal standards, common violations, and practical compliance for independent landlords.
Fair Housing Compliance Checklist for California Landlords
A practical fair housing compliance checklist for California independent landlords covering advertising, application screening, disability accommodations, and source of income requirements.