CESI Conference 2026

Upcoming Conference!

California's Housing Crisis: Roots of the Problem and What Lies Ahead

The housing crisis is not just about real estate or economics; it is about dignity, opportunity, and the ability to live a good life. While markets drive much of what we produce and consume, not everyone can afford to participate. Housing has become the clearest example of this failure, with devastating effects on families and communities.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

8:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Lundring Events Center

REGISTration Link

At this gathering, we will:

Explore the roots of California’s housing challenges and how our economy allocates
resources.
Challenge assumptions about markets, profitability, and what true success means for
communities.
Share the latest research and data in clear, accessible ways.
Create space for vibrant discussion among residents, institutions, and experts.
Identify practical policy solutions that can be acted upon at the city, county, and state
levels, with support from nonprofits, foundations, and the business community.

This conference is about a future we cannot afford unless we wake up and take the necessary
actions now. This is more than a conference; it’s a call to action. The housing crisis touches us
all, directly or indirectly, and solving it requires broad participation and bold thinking. We need a
community conversation on the housing crisis in California.

The time for action is now. Join us in shaping solutions that ensure California remains a
place where families and communities can thrive.

How to sponsor this event?

Please follow the link below to access the options of sponsorships that we offer and the benefits you will get.

Sponsorship

Highlights of the Study:

View Highlights

Presenters:

Jamshid Damooei

Professor & Director, Economics and Executive Director CESI

More About Jamshid Damooei

Jamshid Damooei is a Professor and Director of the Economics Program and Executive Director of the Center for Economics of Social Issues at California Lutheran University. He worked as a Senior Economist for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Senior Consultant for the UN.

In 2017, he was recognized by Huffington Post as an Iranian American for seminal contributions to his field of study. He has conducted more than 100 studies and written reports in various forms ranging from peer-reviewed to research projects commissioned by many for and non-profit organizations and foundations. In the last 25 years, his research has been focused on the economics of social issues, what he calls economic studies with a human face.

Dr. Sabith Khan

Program Director, MPPA

More About Dr. Sabith Khan

Sabith Khan serves as the Program Director of the Masters of Public Policy and Administration program at Cal Lutheran University. He has a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and an MPA and MA in International Relations from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, the country’s oldest and among the most prestigious Public Admin programs.

He is the author of an award-winning book on nonprofit management and also more recently, a book on remittances and international development, through Routledge, which looks at remittances across four countries: India, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Mexico.

Ruslan Korchagin

Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership | Graduate Student Assistant (GSOE | CESI | MPPA)

More About Ruslan Korchagin

Ruslan Korchagin is a doctoral candidate in Higher Education Leadership at California Lutheran University, where he also serves as a Research and Teaching Assistant in the School of Education and Senior Research Assistant at the Center for Economics of Social Issues.

He holds an MBA and an M.S. in Information Systems and Technologies from Cal Lutheran, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law from Voronezh State University. His research focuses on education policy, social justice, and the social determinants of health.

Panel Moderator:

Panelists:

Organizing Team:

Rosie Baker

Communications Coordinator – School of Management

Ruslan Korchagin

Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership | Graduate Student Assistant (GSOE | CESI | MPPA)

Ryan Lemon

Research Assistant | Senior Economics Major, Minor in Data Science

Contact

Jamshid Damooei
damooei@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3357
Website

logo

Phone: 805-493-3360
Email: cesi@CalLutheran.edu