Steven W Gray - Founder & CEO

About the Founder

Steven W. Gray has spent over a decade working in consulting, acquisitions, development, and operations of multi-family real estate, with a focus on subsidized and affordable housing developments.

As the founder and CEO of a realty group, a real estate tech development firm, a landlord advocacy organization, and an affordable housing development consultancy, Steven has demonstrated his expertise and entrepreneurial vision across multiple areas of the real estate industry. His consultancy firm held a contract with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles from 2021 to 2023, focusing on housing acquisitions for low-income individuals impacted by COVID-19.

Based in Los Angeles County, Steven has spearheaded the development of over 1,000 rental units, demonstrating a keen aptitude for transforming visions into profitable realities. His expertise also encompasses luxury residential home sales and luxury rental properties, where his strategic acumen and dedication to excellence have consistently driven outstanding results.

With a career portfolio that includes over $50 million in real estate acquisitions and development during the pandemic, Steven has proven his prowess in navigating complex market dynamics and securing lucrative opportunities. His specialized knowledge in negotiations, investment properties, property management, and asset management places him at the forefront of the field.

Steven is the founder of several successful companies, starting in 2016, which helps landlords, property owners, developers, and investors maximize profitability in affordable housing developments while benefiting low-income families across Los Angeles County, Phoenix, and Tucson.

BURNWOOD

About the Firm

At Burnwood, we go beyond leasing space—we position your asset to perform at its highest potential. Specializing in commercial and multifamily real estate, we partner with institutional, private, and family-owned owners to deliver tailored leasing and sales strategies that attract quality tenants, optimize occupancy, and drive long-term asset value.
Our approach is rooted in deep market expertise and data-driven insight. We analyze local market dynamics, tenant demand trends, and competitive positioning to uncover opportunities and guide strategic decision-making. From initial asset positioning to full-cycle leasing execution, we focus on maximizing revenue while enhancing the overall value and appeal of your property.
Burnwood understands the complexities of ownership across diverse asset classes. We provide strategic guidance on capital improvements, financial performance, debt considerations, and disposition planning. Our team is particularly effective in repositioning underperforming assets—implementing targeted leasing campaigns, refining pricing strategies, and strengthening tenant retention to stabilize and elevate performance.
Leveraging real-time market analytics and proprietary research, we track tenant movement, monitor competing properties, and deliver actionable intelligence that keeps our clients ahead of the market. Our hands-on leasing platform includes proactive outreach to tenants and brokers, consistent reporting, and responsive execution throughout the leasing process.

Burnwood brings a highly specialized approach to affordable and subsidized housing, rooted in real-world execution and deep familiarity with public housing systems, funding mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks. Drawing from direct experience working alongside housing authorities and navigating large-scale acquisition initiatives, the firm advises investors, developers, and owners on how to effectively implement and scale subsidized housing strategies.
The process begins with comprehensive market research, where Burnwood evaluates available housing subsidy programs, analyzes regional demand, and identifies opportunities where public incentives align with private investment goals. This foundation allows clients to make informed decisions about entering or expanding within the affordable housing sector.
From there, Burnwood supports clients in identifying and evaluating acquisition opportunities or assessing project feasibility. Each analysis is tailored to align with specific financial objectives, incorporating detailed underwriting support, financial modeling, and risk assessment to ensure long-term viability while meeting subsidy program requirements.
A critical component of Burnwood’s approach is the development of strong relationships with government agencies and nonprofit organizations. The firm actively facilitates these connections, helping clients navigate approval processes, access resources, and position their projects in alignment with local housing initiatives. This collaborative framework enhances both project execution and long-term stability.
Burnwood also places a strong emphasis on client education, ensuring that investors and operators fully understand the structure, requirements, and strategic advantages of various subsidy programs. This includes guidance on compliance, eligibility criteria, and how to optimize available incentives to maximize both impact and returns.
To support lease-up and long-term occupancy, Burnwood assists in developing targeted outreach strategies to government agencies and subsidy providers, while also establishing structured renter pipelines. This includes building and managing application pools of qualified tenants, streamlining onboarding processes, and ensuring consistent occupancy aligned with program guidelines.
At the operational level, Burnwood works with clients to integrate the subsidized housing model directly into their organizations. This includes implementing systems for compliance tracking, tenant management, and subsidy administration—creating a sustainable infrastructure for long-term asset performance.
Ongoing support remains a key part of the firm’s involvement. Burnwood continues to advise clients as programs evolve, providing updates on regulatory changes, refining strategies, and ensuring assets remain optimized within an ever-changing housing landscape.
At Burnwood, we represent your property with precision, discipline, and a clear focus on performance—delivering results that strengthen both income and long-term asset value.

Recognitions and Government Relations

Steven Gray's firm achieved a notable milestone in its partnership with the City of Los Angeles Housing Authority (HACLA). The firm was contracted to conduct ongoing landlord outreach and education for the Emergency Housing Voucher program (EHV) from 2021 to December 2023. This program was a critical initiative aimed at addressing the urgent housing needs exacerbated by the pandemic.

Under Steven's leadership, the firm embarked on an extensive campaign to engage with landlords and educate them about the EHV program. The team employed various strategies, including phone calls, in-person outreach, and targeted marketing campaigns. The goal was to elucidate the benefits of participating with HACLA and partner organizations, emphasizing the societal and economic advantages of supporting the EHV program.

The primary objective of this initiative was to fill over 3,300 federal vouchers – a challenging target that required not only a deep understanding of the housing market but also the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders. By the end of 2023, the firm successfully met this goal, marking a significant achievement in their efforts to provide stable housing solutions for those in need.

Learn More

For over ten years, Steven has also consulted for top homeless services nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles County, focusing on housing acquisitions. His dedication to combating homelessness was recognized in 2020 when he was awarded the Scroll of Recognition from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for his impactful work. Steven also served as a member of the Landlord Advisory Board for PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), reinforcing his leadership and advocacy in the housing sector.