Governor Newsom Names Tomiquia Moss as Head of State Agency Addressing Homelessness and Consumer Rights
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Tomiquia Moss as secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency (BCSH) on November 28.
Moss, a Democrat, succeeds Lourdes M. Castro-Ramrez, who took over in March 2020.
Castro-Ramrez announced her resignation as Secretary of BCSH on October 2. Her resignation became effect on November 2.
Moss’ nomination requires Senate approval, and his annual salary is $232,858.
“The housing and homelessness crisis is the No. 1 issue facing our state, and Secretary Moss brings decades of deep knowledge and experience working to move the needle on this challenge in the public and nonprofit sectors,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “I look forward to her partnership in continuing to implement California’s transformative solutions on these and other priorities for our state.”
Moss will be in charge of 12 agencies, including 40 boards and bureaus. She will be in charge of preserving and expanding safe, affordable housing, preventing and ending homelessness, safeguarding consumers, and maintaining California’s civil rights laws.
Furthermore, the position necessitates collaboration with state agencies to create statewide action plans that increase consumer protections by licensing, regulating, educating, and enforcing regulations for over four million businesses, professionals, and financial institutions.
“The Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency touches the lives of virtually every Californian,” Moss stated in an e-mail. “I am humbled by Gov. Newsom’s appointment to serve as its secretary, particularly for the millions of Californians struggling to find and keep a roof over their heads, as well as those who are victims of fraud and discrimination.” It is a sacred duty to lead this complicated institution. I’m looking forward to supporting all of the fantastic work that’s already being done.”
Since 2020, the agency and its satellite departments have spent more than $31 billion on expanding rental and homeownership housing possibilities, as well as more than $11 billion on addressing homelessness.
Moss is the founder of All Home, a Bay Area-based group that promotes regional solutions to poverty, homelessness, and racial inequities, with the goal of increasing opportunities for those with low incomes. She has been the organization’s CEO since 2019.
Moss was the CEO of Hamilton Families from 2017 to 2019 and the Oakland Mayor’s Office chief of staff from 2015 to 2017. She was the executive director of HOPE SF, a San Francisco Mayor’s Office initiative, from 2013 to 2015.
Moss also serves on the board of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California.
She holds a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Ohio Wesleyan University.
“While I am excited to expand the Administration’s commitment to housing and homelessness solutions, I also recognize the importance of the agency’s other mandates in making California a fairer and more equitable place with more opportunities for all people to thrive.” “I’m honored to begin this work in early 2024, and I’m grateful for the governor’s confidence in me,” Moss said.
The BCSH website states that the agency has approximately 8,000 workers and a $4.6 billion operational budget.
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