Fresno has a homelessness problem. So why are its leaders rejecting state-funded housing?
LA TimesDez Martinez greeted the homeless dwellers of Santa Clara Street on a recent October afternoon with open arms and a warm smile. “We’re hurting, we’re suffering, and we’re losing all hope.” City officials, conversely, champion the camping ban, saying public spaces have been cleared of trash and more homeless people are being connected with treatment and shelter beds. Still, some homeless advocates say they’ve seen a dramatic shift in the last year, as elected officials nix or stall affordable housing projects that had already secured competitive state funding. During the pandemic emergency, the Fresno City Council was an eager participant in the state’s Project Homekey program, a multimillion-dollar effort to convert underused motels into housing for homeless people. “But we also have to draw a line, like any family does.” Similar to L.A.’s Skid Row, Santa Clara Street has long been home to a heavy concentration of homeless campers because of its proximity to Poverello House, a nonprofit that offers three meals a day and access to services.
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