Tommy Newman is an advocate for housing justice and the wholistic systems change it requires. He brings more than a decade of experience in public affairs, coalition building, and policy innovation to his role as Chief of Staff at LACAHSA. Born and raised in L.A., Tommy has dedicated his career to addressing the root causes of homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing across Los Angeles County.

Prior to joining LACAHSA, Tommy served as Vice President of Public Affairs and Activation at United Way of Greater Los Angeles, where he led the “Everyone In” campaign, a grassroots movement mobilizing over 100,000 residents to advocate for supportive and affordable housing initiatives. His leadership was key in the success of multiple electoral and legislative victories which have significantly increased funding and tools for homelessness services and housing production.

Tommy’s commitment to systemic change is evident in his work to establish LACAHSA. He played an active role in advocating for California Senate Bill 679, which created the agency to coordinate countywide efforts in affordable housing and homelessness prevention.

With a background that includes serving as Director of Public Affairs for LA Family Housing and as a deputy for L.A. City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Tommy brings a unique blend of policy expertise and community engagement to LACAHSA’s mission.

Tommy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the George Washington University and a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He is a member of the California State Bar. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters and remains deeply committed to creating equitable and inclusive communities across the county.