Unhoused shelter crisis in the city of Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno Mission CEO Matthew Dildine is sounding the alarm, saying the unhoused shelter has an emergency.

"Over the last several years, the city of Fresno has had one-time federal resources and then resources from the state that have allowed them to operate hundreds and hundreds of shelter beds, but those are all coming to an end," said Dildine.

The nonprofit Fresno Mission, which serves thousands of people every year, is expanding its operations for shelter use.

The CEO believes that over the next 18 months, the city will lose a majority of those government-funded beds, forcing the unhoused to fill the streets.

"If everyone in Fresno stepped up and gave $10, we wouldn't have a homeless crisis," said Dildine.

The city of Fresno said it received money through the California Department of Housing and Community Development to provide temporary to permanent housing for those who need it.

When the funds and other federal funds started to dwindle, as expected, Dildine said it was Mayor Jerry Dyer who called on his organization and others like it to help create a solution.

"These are some of the meeting notes that we've been working on," said Mayor Dyer.

The city has state funding until the end of next year.

Mayor Dyer said the city manages over 800 shelter beds with those state and federal funds. But over the course of the next three-plus years, that number will dwindle down to zero.

"Collectively, if we have a good partnership with the churches and our service providers, the city, the county and Clovis, we'll be able to meet that need head-on," said Mayor Dyer.

Both the Mayor and Dildine agree that it's ultimately up to the community to make a change.

"I think it's really time for us to say the state isn't coming to our rescue. The federal government isn't coming to our rescue. Fresnans need to come to our rescue. People in Clovis need to come to our rescue," said Dildine.

Although there is an urgency, Mayor Dyer wants people to know that all involved are doing their best to make sure those who need and want shelter get it.

Mayor Dyer plans to meet with Fresno Mission and similar organizations, as well as city and county leaders, every other month regarding the unhoused population.