WSSNews Vol 39 | No. 17

WestsideSTORY NEWSPAPER

California Shakes Up State Gov't to Better Tackle Housing Crisis, Homelessness

In a major shake-up of state bureaucracy, Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved the creation of two new agencies to address California's housing crisis and strengthen consumer oversight.

The move, which Newsom announced last week, es- tablishes the California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) and the Business and Consumer Ser- vices Agency (BCSA). The reorganization dissolves the current Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency by July 2026.

State officials say the change is designed to im- prove accountability and coordination in efforts to reduce homelessness, expand affordable housing, and strengthen consumer protections. According to the governor's office, the new structure will consolidate housing and civil rights oversight into a single agency, while moving business and consumer regulation into a separate department.

"Housing and homelessness are complex and multi- faceted issues, deserving of full and prioritized atten- tion," said Newsom in a statement on July 11, thank- ing lawmakers for approving the standalone housing agency.

The CHHA will oversee departments involved in housing development, homelessness coordination, and civil rights enforcement, including the Department of Housing and Community Development, the California Housing Finance Agency, and the Civil Rights Depart ment.

The BCSA will take over responsibilities related to occupational licensing, financial regulation, and over- sight of industries such as alcohol, cannabis, and real

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media estate. It will include agencies like the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

Tomiquia Moss, head of the soon-to-be-dissolved umbrella agency, said the new structure will help the state meet its housing goals. "This will enable us to better reach our goal of 2.5 million new homes by 2030, with one million of them being affordable hous- ing," said Moss.

The announcement comes as California continues to face some of the highest homelessness rates in the country. State data shows California limited the in- crease in homelessness to 3% in 2024, compared to an 18% rise nationwide. Officials also reported declines in veteran and youth homelessness.

Meet the Black AI Developer Behind 19 Keys Who Has Helped Entrepreneurs Generate $17M in Revenue

NATIONWIDE While many businesses are still experimenting with AI, one developer is already re- shaping how companies operate and scale.

Meet Gabe Wilson, co-founder of Edgy Design Group, automation expert, and Microsoft Certified AI Engineer, trusted by cultural icon 19 Keys and a roster of high-performing entrepreneurs. Gabe's Al-driven systems have generated over $17 million in client rev- enue. His clients range from creators and CEOs to a major U.S. municipality. He is setting a new standard for growth in the digital age.

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Gabe also co-leads a venture with millionaire entre- preneur Mario Kelly, known for his appearance on Earn Your Leisure (EYL). Their partnership highlights the power of combining AI with real-world applica- tion.

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Beyond leading the agency, Gabe serves as a panel speaker, youth AI educator, and business consultant, helping both emerging entrepreneurs and established organizations harness AI for meaningful business growth.