BREAKING: Fresno County has just unveiled its new Office of Housing Homelessness, a critical agency formed to tackle the escalating homeless crisis as hundreds of emergency shelter beds are set to close. This urgent initiative comes as the county grapples with a staggering 4,500 homeless individuals in the region, while funding sources are shifting their priorities.
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of this agency on Thursday, marking a significant pivot in the county’s approach to homelessness. With 331 shelter beds potentially closing by June 2026, officials acknowledge the dire need for effective coordination among various homeless services. “It’s not going to be easy because I think everybody’s in their space and they’re doing their work in their silos,” warned Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez during the meeting.
The new agency, staffed with approximately six personnel, will oversee the management of a critical continuum of care for the homeless population. This shift occurs amid major changes at the federal level, as the Trump administration has redirected funding from the previous “Housing First” model to a focus on transitional housing and mental health services. HUD Secretary Scott Turner emphasized that success will now be defined not by funding amounts, but by the number of individuals achieving long-term self-sufficiency.
With this transition, Dylan McCully, who previously served as the homelessness program manager, will lead the new agency under the guidance of Amina Flores-Becker, Deputy County Administrative Officer. The county is now tasked with distributing approximately $14 million in federal funds and an additional $11 million from state resources.
“This isn’t just about throwing money at the problem anymore,” Chavez stated. The county’s strategy will require close collaboration among existing organizations to optimize resources and improve outreach efforts. “We need to bring all different shelter-like models to at least speak the same language,” Flores-Becker added, highlighting the importance of coordinated entry for service providers.
As Fresno Housing steps back from its former management role, it will now concentrate on developing affordable housing and administering housing vouchers, while the county assumes greater responsibility for overseeing the continuum of care. With 60 voting members currently on the board, Supervisor Brian Pacheco raised concerns about bureaucratic inefficiencies, stressing the need for accountability moving forward.
The changes come at a time when funding for permanent housing projects is under threat, as nearly 75% of the continuum’s budget has historically supported these initiatives. McCully noted that several permanent housing projects may need to pivot to transitional models or seek alternative funding sources to comply with new federal requirements.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. As funding landscapes shift and the number of homeless individuals continues to rise, Fresno County’s newly formed agency aims to streamline resources and enhance the effectiveness of services provided to the unhoused. The future of many families and individuals hangs in the balance, making the success of this initiative critical for the community.
As this situation continues to develop, residents and advocates alike are closely monitoring how these changes will impact the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Fresno. The county’s commitment to improving coordination and accountability could redefine the local approach to one of California’s most pressing issues.
Stay tuned for more updates as Fresno County navigates this critical transition in its fight against homelessness.
