Public Comments
From August 17, 2026, to September 1, 2026, the city made the CAPER available to the public for comment. Members of the community were able to provide feedback through mail, email, over the telephone, by survey, and in-person. Four comments were received during the public comment period. An additional # comments were received during the public City Council hearing.
Nicole Hardgraves, via email response
Please do more for the mosquito abatement program, they make enjoying the outdoors almost impossible,
[City Response:
Although mosquito abatement activities do not fall under HUD-funded housing and community development programs, this comment will be forwarded to the appropriate City staff for review and any necessary follow-up.
This public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Martha Neri De La Paz, via email response
Hi
it be great to create a new program for single months to help improve the house.
Martha Neri De La Paz.
[City Response:
This public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Brandi Nuse-Villegas, via email response
I also commend the department with working with CUSD to help with homelessness services and prevention for students and their families. While I cannot weigh in on the implementation, this is a need that is in every school district, affecting many children and families.
Permanent housing for our unhoused community continues to be a great need. While I recognize that the funding is limited, wherever the city can identify it, we continue to need housing that can meet the needs of our unhoused and to earmark housing projects for those who are unhoused. I ask that we also seek out funding to bring up our numbers of shelter beds.
I appreciate the housing that has been developed, especially in partnership with community based groups.
It is also crucial that those who go into shelter spaces can remain in the shelters until permanent housing is identified and allow them the stability to get and have a secure place to maintain employment (and request that in the upcoming annual plans, there might be a partnership such as through EOC, as they have implemented many good employment programs, to help those in
the shelters and those unsheltered to connect with companies that can work with those how have experienced joblessness and homelessness, as help with jobs is an ask I have heard from many.)
Looking over the list of programs funded by CGBG, I am glad we are investing in youth through the Boys and Girls club and CVJC’s programs. I note and appreciate we are funding help for domestic violence response (and as we experience beds for survivors often being at capacity, and 19% from the PIT county being survivors of DV, ask for more resources, including shelter beds and permanent housing through other sources). And I appreciate and hope for further investment in programs such as the Poverello House workforce program, and hope for other creative employment program.
There are some details that have to do less with these specific programs and more to do with description of homeless response.
I have a question regarding the statement 2025 the city of Fresno will use the “shelter-first” approach, as to what this means, as many have been arrested for being on public property or displaced without shelter being available. As well, city leaders stated they were taking a “treatment first” approach in late fall 2024, though many unhoused people reported that they are not experiencing this either.
I have questions regarding the statements that ERF funding helped with “a licensed clinician, a licensed social worker, and an interim clinician” regarding how this was implemented and where and to what extent and how these positions operated. It would be beneficial that in any city contact with those unhoused, there were licensed professionals focused on the care of those who are unhoused, and ensuring their needs and rights are met, including those experiencing disability and other needs that should be met. I noted in the 2023 work plan for the 2023 ERF that the city stated that law enforcement assisted outreach teams who worked with those unsheltered to get into housing. However, in these areas of ERF and city wide, the experience has been that while HOPE help people get into shelter or housing as it is available, HART, minus HOPE and including law enforcement, does not “assist homeless people to move from the streets into shelter, temporary housing, and, ultimately, permanent housing” as noted in in the report, but displaces unsheltered persons from public property and often thrown away belongings, despite any lack of housing and without ensuring that people have housing. The law enforcement’s role has not been to assist outreach, which operates without the presence of LEOs. As well, with less shelter space available, and a continued lack of affordable housing, these are often not services that can be provided prior to displacement. We need accountability for the sake of those navigating to get into permanent housing as well as our homeless service providers, that activities are not impeding success.
[City Response:
This public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Angela Almaraz, via survey response
I am a disabled Section 8 voucher holder who is trying to purchase a home through the HCV Homeownership Program. I need more support, clearer guidance, and accessible resources to help disabled residents become homeowners. Please expand homeownership assistance, improve communication about the program, and provide reasonable accommodations for disabled voucher holders who want to buy a home. This is a critical need for me and many others in Fresno.
[City Response:
Thank you for your comment and sharing your experience as a disabled Section 8 voucher holder participating in the HCV Homeownership program. While requests for expanded homeownership assistance, clearer guidance, and additional accommodations are outside the scope of HUD-funded activities reported in the CAPER, the City recognizes the importance of accessible pathways to homeownership for residents with disabilities. Your feedback will be forwarded to the appropriate City staff for review and consideration in future program planning and communication efforts.
This public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Public Outreach
FIGURE 1 - PUBLIC NOTICE EMAIL - ENGLISH (1 OF 2)
FIGURE 2 - PUBLIC NOTICE EMAIL – ENGLISH (2 OF 2)
FIGURE 3 - PUBLIC NOTICE - FRESNO BEE (1 OF 2)
FIGURE 4 - PUBLIC NOTICE - FRESNO BEE (2 OF 2)
FIGURE 5 - SOCIAL MEDIA POST (FACEBOOK) – ENGLISH
FIGURE 6 - CITY OF FRESNO WEBSITE
The public comment period commenced on August 16, 2026, following publication of the announcement and survey link in the Fresno Bee. The CAPER report itself was posted to the Housing Department’s website on August 17, 2026, and was available for public review and comment through 5:00 PM on September 1, 2026. Residents were encouraged to submit comments using any of the following methods:
Submit Comments by Mail:
City of Fresno
Planning and Development Department
Attn: Community Development Division
2600 Fresno Street Room 3065
Fresno CA 93721
Submit Comments by Email:
[email protected]
Please include “2025 CAPER” in the subject line
Submit Comments by Phone:
559-621-8300
Submit Comments by TTY:
559-621-8721
Submit Comments by Fax:
559-457-1579
Submit Comments Online:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25-26CAPER
Residents could also submit comments during a September 17, 2026, Public Hearing at approximately 9:15 AM or thereafter, prior to City Council consideration of the Report. For participation instructions, they could visit www.fresno.gov/calendar.aspx and select the agenda for the September 17, 2026, meeting. For additional accommodations, they were directed to contact the office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or [email protected] at least three business days prior to the meeting.