Prohousing City of Fresno Expands Affordable Housing Opportunities

Fresno is making meaningful progress toward creating safe, stable, affordable housing for families and individuals in need recently opening two new HCD-funded housing communities, with additional developments underway to bring hundreds of permanent supportive homes to the region and help more people get off the streets.

Opening Doors to New Homes

Crossroads Village has added 143 permanent supportive homes for households earning up to 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Located next door to an elementary school, developer UPholdings partnered with Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) and the Fresno Teachers Association (FTA) to reserve 20 homes for families in the school system exiting homelessness. FUSD and FTA are covering rental costs for these units.

Originally used as interim housing, Crossroads Village was upgraded to serve as permanent supportive housing with $67.8 million in funding from HCD's Housing for a Healthy California, No Place Like Home (NPLH), and California Housing Accelerator programs. Residents have access to on-site services and indoor and outdoor community spaces including a community room, computer room, laundry room, barbecue areas and a swimming pool. The complex is located near public transit and essential services.

Manzanilla Commons, a former hotel, combined adaptive reuse and new construction to create 63 new affordable homes, with 32 permanent supportive homes reserved for families exiting or at risk of homelessness.

Located within a mile of the Fresno Zoo, the gated community was supported by $5.3 million from HCD's Homekey program. A project of Fresno Housing, Manzanilla Commons features a community services building with over 2,000 square feet for property management, resident and supportive services, and event space.

In addition to the community building, on-site amenities include a laundry facility, children's playground, basketball court, and dog park.

Breaking Ground on the Future

Once home to the Smugglers Restaurant and Lounge and later used as a rapid rehousing center during the COVID-19 pandemic, this infill site is being redeveloped into Dakota, an affordable housing community providing 114 permanent supportive homes for low-income individuals, veterans, and families.

Dakota was funded by $49 million from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program jointly administered by HCD and the Strategic Growth Council, and $4.2 million from HCD's Infill Infrastructure Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. The development will include wraparound services from Fresno Mission City Center and a free on-site medical clinic operated by Family Healthcare Network. On-site amenities include laundry rooms, a fitness room, community room, and outdoor community spaces.

Mosaic at The Mural District will transform a former Econo Lodge Inn into 25 studio apartment homes for low- income households, including 12 homes reserved for people exiting or at risk of homelessness and earning 30% or less of AMI.

A project of Fresno Housing, Mosaic at the Mural District was supported by $3.3 million from HCD's NPLH program.

Located near transit, grocery stores and essential services, the complex will also offer residents access to shared community spaces including a community room, community kitchen, laundry room, and barbecue area.