New CA Senate Housing Chair Brings Renter Experience to Role

State Sen. Jesse Arreguín aims to boost housing production and protect renters as head of key committee.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:31pm

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California State Sen. Jesse Arreguín, the new chair of the Senate Housing Committee, says his personal experience as a renter who was evicted multiple times will shape his priorities in the role. Arreguín, a Democrat from Berkeley, wants to make it cheaper and easier to build homes, place a multi-billion dollar housing bond on the November ballot, and protect renters from homelessness.

Why it matters

As head of the powerful Senate Housing Committee, Arreguín will have a major influence on housing and homelessness legislation in California. His background as a renter provides a unique perspective compared to previous committee chairs, potentially leading to new policy approaches to address the state's housing crisis.

The details

Arreguín, who was previously the mayor of Berkeley, said his experience of being evicted several times while growing up in San Francisco gives him insight into the challenges faced by renters. As committee chair, he plans to focus on making it cheaper and easier to build homes, placing a multi-billion dollar housing bond on the November ballot, and protecting renters from homelessness. Arreguín supports using more modular homes to help alleviate the state's housing needs and wants to increase funding for programs that support affordable and low-income housing.

  • Arreguín takes over as chair of the Senate Housing Committee on Sunday, January 31, 2026.
  • Arreguín was elected to the California State Senate in 2024.

The players

Jesse Arreguín

A Democratic state senator from Berkeley who was recently appointed chair of the California Senate Housing Committee. Arreguín previously served as mayor of Berkeley and has personal experience as a renter who was evicted multiple times.

Monique Limón

The new Senate President pro Tem who appointed Arreguín as chair of the Senate Housing Committee.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California whose January budget proposal Arreguín wants to see increased funding for homelessness and affordable housing programs.

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What they’re saying

“I know what it's like to lose your home and how scary and challenging it is to not have a place to live, and there are thousands of people in our state who experience that on a weekly, if not monthly, basis.”

— Jesse Arreguín, State Senator

“We need to make sure the laws are working and we need to give them time to work.”

— Jesse Arreguín, State Senator

“Because right now, we're spending a lot of money, and I think most voters can agree that we're not seeing a material improvement in the situation on our streets.”

— Jesse Arreguín, State Senator

What’s next

Arreguín plans to push for a multi-billion dollar housing bond to be placed on the November 2026 ballot in California.

The takeaway

Arreguín's personal experience as a renter who faced eviction provides a unique perspective that could lead to new policy approaches to address California's housing and homelessness crises as the new chair of the powerful Senate Housing Committee.