Fresno City Council passes contentious housing element despite community concerns over compliance

In the bustling chambers of Fresno City Hall, a heated discussion unfolded during the Fresno City Council meeting on December 12, 2024, as council members and community advocates grappled with the pressing issue of housing in the city. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as residents voiced their concerns over the housing element plan, which many argued was not in compliance with state requirements.

Community members expressed frustration over the perceived inadequacies of the housing plan, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by low-income households. One speaker passionately criticized the council for continuing to allocate funds to organizations like Poparello House, suggesting that these efforts were insufficient and misdirected. “You keep on wasting our money,” they lamented, emphasizing the need for more effective solutions to homelessness.

Brandy N., a community advocate, acknowledged the efforts made by Fresno Housing and Community Development but urged the council to incorporate community-identified programs into the housing element before its adoption. She stressed the critical need for affordable housing, particularly for extremely low-income households, and called for a shift towards a "housing first" approach to combat homelessness effectively.

Dakari Cleveland, representing Power California, echoed these sentiments, urging the council to prioritize the voices of those directly affected by housing policies. He pointed out that many young Californians are struggling to keep up with rising living costs, with one in three having to take on additional jobs to make ends meet. “Until we actually put community identity and people at the center of these plans, it’s just a property plan,” he asserted.

In contrast, Greg Terzakos from the California Apartment Association voiced support for the housing element, acknowledging the lengthy process that led to its current form. He urged the council to pass the plan to facilitate the construction of new housing, particularly affordable units, to meet the growing needs of the city. “We cannot regulate our way out of this,” he stated, referencing past failed ballot initiatives aimed at housing regulation.

As the public comment period concluded, the council moved to vote on the housing element. With a motion to approve from Council Member Arias and a second from the council vice president, the plan passed with a 7-0 vote, despite the ongoing concerns raised by community members. The decision marks a significant step forward in addressing Fresno's housing crisis, but the discussions highlighted a clear call for continued engagement with the community to ensure that the needs of all residents are met.

As Fresno looks to the future, the challenge remains: how to balance development with the urgent need for affordable housing, ensuring that every resident has a place to call home.