UPDATE: Fresno County has just announced the creation of the **Office of Housing Homelessness**, a new agency aimed at tackling the region’s escalating homelessness crisis. This comes as **331 emergency shelter beds** face closure by **June 2026**, amid significant funding cuts and changing priorities from federal agencies.
The county’s **Board of Supervisors** approved the agency on **Thursday**, responding to the urgent needs of approximately **4,500 homeless individuals** in the area. The newly formed agency will consist of about six staff members, primarily drawn from the Department of Social Services, and will coordinate the efforts of various local homeless service providers.
Fresno County Supervisor **Luis Chavez** emphasized the challenges ahead, stating, “It’s not going to be easy because I think everybody’s in their space and they’re doing their work in their silos.” The urgency of the situation has been compounded by recent shifts in federal policies under the **Trump administration**, which has altered how **U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)** funds are allocated, moving away from the “Housing First” strategy that has dominated for the past decade.
Funding cuts mean that the focus will now shift to transitional housing and mental health care, leaving local agencies scrambling to adapt. “Gone are the days when money can be simply thrown at the problem,” Chavez added. The county aims to strategize and unify efforts among service groups to effectively address the shelter crisis.
**Dylan McCully**, currently the homelessness program manager, will lead the new agency, reporting to **Amina Flores-Becker**, the Deputy County Administrative Officer. The Office of Housing Homelessness will take over the management of the **Fresno Madera Continuum of Care**, a critical entity that oversees state and federal homeless funding, including a substantial **$14 million** from HUD and **$11 million** from the state.
Flores-Becker remarked that the main goal is to streamline access to housing and services for the unhoused population. “Coordinated entry is about getting all of those different shelter-like models to at least speak the same language and coordinate with each other,” she stated. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of street outreach and client referrals.
The transition comes amid skepticism regarding the prior management of the continuum. Supervisor **Brian Pacheco** expressed concerns about the bureaucracy involved, stating that despite millions invested, the situation for the homeless has not improved significantly over the past five years. He stressed that success will now be defined by long-term outcomes rather than just funding.
HUMAN IMPACT: The reorganization of Fresno’s homeless services aims to provide a more unified approach to helping those in need. Local advocates, including Dez Martinez, have called for accountability and transparency in the distribution of funds, highlighting the need for a system that prioritizes the needs of the homeless rather than the interests of service providers.
With fundamental changes at the federal level threatening to disrupt established funding practices, Fresno County’s new agency will also have to adapt rapidly. The HUD’s recent announcement indicates that the nation’s **385 continuums of care** will compete for **$3.9 billion**, favoring transitional housing over permanent solutions, which may jeopardize up to six ongoing housing projects in Fresno.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the newly formed Office of Housing Homelessness to see if it can successfully navigate these challenges and bring about meaningful change for Fresno’s unhoused population. The county’s efforts will be critical in addressing the immediate needs of those struggling with homelessness, especially as funding priorities continue to shift.
This urgent update highlights the evolving landscape of homelessness in Fresno County and what it means for the future of its most vulnerable residents. As changes unfold, the community is urged to stay informed and engaged with local initiatives aimed at addressing this pressing crisis.
