The Investment Case
Affordable housing preservation is one of the most cost-effective interventions in the housing ecosystem. Retaining an existing affordable unit costs a fraction of building a new one — yet most housing dollars flow to new construction while the existing stock erodes.
LeaseBase Housing Foundation targets the highest-leverage point in this system: the independent landlord’s decision to stay or sell.
Where Your Dollars Go
Technology Access Program
$500 per landlord per year provides a small landlord with professional-grade property management tools — compliance tracking, maintenance coordination, financial oversight. For context, the same capabilities cost $50-100/month on the open market.
Education & Workshops
$2,500 funds a full workshop reaching 25-50 landlords with compliance training, fair housing education, and financial management guidance. Our workshops have measurable outcomes: participants report fewer violations, better tenant relationships, and greater confidence in their operations.
Research & Advocacy
$10,000 funds a research initiative producing original analysis on landlord retention, housing policy impact, or market trends. Our research is open-access and designed to inform both practitioners and policymakers.
Impact Metrics
We measure what matters:
| Metric | Year 1 Target | How We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Units preserved | 500 | Landlords retained who were considering selling |
| Landlords trained | 250 | Workshop completions with pre/post assessment |
| Violations prevented | 1,000 | Compliance tool usage + self-reported outcomes |
| Landlords retained | 100 | 12-month follow-up surveys |
Tax Benefits
LeaseBase Housing Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 42-4514322). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We provide acknowledgment letters for gifts of $250 or more and can work with your team on grant reporting requirements.
Current Funding Priorities
- Sacramento Pilot Program — Technology access + workshops for 50 landlords in underserved Sacramento neighborhoods
- California Compliance Training Series — Statewide virtual workshop series on AB 1482, fair housing, and local ordinances
- Landlord Retention Research — First-of-its-kind study on why California landlords exit and what interventions work
- General Operating Support — Sustaining the infrastructure that makes all programs possible