Menu

Planning and Development

Housing & Community Development

Housing and Community Development

As an entitlement jurisdiction, the City of Fresno (City) receives federal funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Planning and Development Division to strengthen and revitalize communities through housing and neighborhood investment.

The Housing and Community Development Division is responsible for administering the federal funds through four programs in an effort to enhance affordable living,  preserve quality neighborhoods, and promote health and safety.

The four main federal programs include:

  1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG),
  2. HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
  3. Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA),
  4. Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Programs

Federal funds provided under the CDBG, ESG, HOME and HOPWA programs primarily address the housing and community development needs of low-and-moderate-income households.

Programs

The City is the annual recipient of federal housing and community development funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a condition of receiving the funds, the City prepares an annual action plan detailing the activities funded with the federal dollars for the following programs:

Community Development Block Grant

CDBG Funding is the most flexible program and helps jurisdictions address various community development needs in four main funding categories:  Public Service, Community, and Economic Development, Capital Improvements Projects, and Planning and Administration. These services are provided through either subrecipients or in-house city staff.

Emergency Solutions Grant

The ESG Program supports outreach to and housing first opportunities for homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless through qualified service providers.

HOME Investment Partnerships

HOME funding is used for various housing-related programs and activities, typically to address the housing needs of jurisdictions through the preservation or creation of affordable housing opportunities.  These services are provided through affordable housing developers, Community Housing Development Organizations, non-profit affordable housing developers and/or in-house staff.

Housing Opportunities for People With Aids/HIV

HOPWA supports communities in developing affordable housing opportunities and related supportive services for low-income persons living with HIV/Aids and their families through qualified service providers.

Notice of Funding Available

The City announces various Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) opportunities throughout the year.  Additional details regarding the application process, submission instructions, technical assistance, and selection notification are provided in the NOFA document.  As available, current NOFA opportunities are listed on the Notice of Funding Availability webpage.

Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2020-2021 Consolidated NOFA Questions & Answers (Updated June 12, 2020)

Advisories and Notices
May 18, 2020 – Consolidated NOFA Tentatively Scheduled for May 22, 2020 Release

Webinars and Presentations
Four webinars are currently scheduled. Please contact HCDD@fresno.gov to enroll and see the 2020-2021 Consolidated NOFA Handbook for more details.

Four webinars were held on June 2 and June 3. Recordings and presentations from these webinars are available below.

Applications Received
Applications received as part of the annual NOFA process will be posted here following the close of the application period.

Plans and Reports

The City is required by HUD to complete a Consolidated Plan every five years.  The Consolidated Plan includes an analysis of the City’s housing market, affordable housing, and community development conditions.  The plan provides five-year strategies and goals based on that analysis and through a public participation process.  The City also completes an Annual Action Plan to identify the annual strategies and programs funded in order to help meet goals identified in the Five-Year Consolidated Plan.  Annual results are captured in the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER).

Written comments are encouraged and may be submitted to:

City of Fresno
Planning and Development Department
Attn: Housing and Community Development Division
2600 Fresno Street Room 3065
Fresno CA 93721

Email: HCDD@fresno.gov
Phone: (559) 621-8300
TTY: (559) 621-8721
Fax: (559) 457-1579

Current Public Comment Opportunities
Residents have an opportunity to review and comment on proposed reports and plans during public comment periods. Applicable Housing and Community Development Division documents will be made available in this section during the public comment period.

Public Hearings

Public Hearings to receive comments on the public review documents are listed below. Services of an interpreter and additional accommodations such as assistive listening devices can be made available. Requests for accommodations should be made at least five calendar days prior to the meeting dates by contacting the Housing Division, at (559) 621-8300, by TTY (559) 621-8721, or by emailing HCDD@fresno.gov.

Permanent Local Housing Allocation 5-Year Plan
City Council Public Hearing followed by City Council Consideration
August 20, 2020, at approximately 10:20 A.M.
For participation instructions, visit https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Pending Plans and Reports

The public review period for the following public review documents has ended. Final versions of the documents will be posted upon HUD approval.

Current Implementation Plans and Reports

Other Plans and Reports

Affordable Housing Programs

The City of Fresno’s Annual Action Plan details the activities funded annually with federal dollars for affordable housing programs that improve the quality of housing stock throughout Fresno.  This includes rehabilitation efforts and new development.

Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation

The City implements rehabilitation program funded through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Funding for housing rehabilitation is available to eligible, owner-occupied homeowners with incomes at or below 80% of area median income.  Depending on the program, eligible homeowners receive rehabilitation assistance in the form of a grant for interior and exterior rehabilitation of a single-family home. Program funds are available citywide and in Neighborhood Revitalization Areas. Homes located in Special Flood Hazard Areas are not eligible.

Paint Programs (CDBG)
  • Senior Paint Program:  The Senior Paint Program is performed by both the City of Fresno and Habitat for Humanity. The Senior Paint Program offers grants to low-income senior citizens (62 years of age and older) who own and occupy their home. The program provides for exterior painting of the home and may include minor repairs (i.e., screen, broken window panes, loose or damaged rain gutters, etc.), provided there are sufficient funds available after deduction the cost of the painting portion of the project.
  • Rehabilitation and Lead Hazard Control Program: The Rehabilitation and Lead Hazard Control Program provides grant funding to properly remediate lead-based paint hazards in a home.  Because these hazards are most dangerous for small children (under the age of 6) and pregnant women, the City prioritizes limited resources for these households.  The City coordinates with the County Health Department for individuals with children in their homes that have tested positive for lead in their systems.  In addition to the City’s program, interested individuals are also encouraged to learn more about the County of Fresno – Environmental Health Division programs at (559) 600-3357 to learn more.
Rehabilitation Programs

Single Family Rehabilitation Program Brochure

  • Minor Code Compliance:  The City implements a Minor Code Compliance Program funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for eligible owner-occupied homeowners with incomes at or below 80% of area median income. The program provides homeowners with rehabilitation assistance in the form of a grant to address housing code violations. The focus is on health and safety improvements that will assist in obtaining code compliance.
  • (HOME) Housing Rehabilitation Program:  The City implements a Housing Rehabilitation Program funded through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) for income-eligible, owner-occupied homeowners with incomes at or below 80% of area median income. The program provides for homeowners to receive grant funds that provide interior and exterior rehabilitation of single-family homes. The focus is on health and safety improvements to bring the home up to standard as required under HOME guidelines.

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST:  Due to the limited amount of resources available, and the high level of interest in rehabilitation programs, the City accepts contact information from interested individuals to create an interest list.

The 2018-2018 Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Interest List (Interest List) is currently CLOSED. When opened,  interested individuals can complete the form below, or call (559) 621-8300.  The Interest List is opened for a short window of time between September and November annually.  The City does not “roll-over” the Interest List from prior years.

Random lottery draws will be completed throughout the year, with a final draw estimated in May.  If selected from the interest list to apply, individuals will be notified by mail and/or email and provided with an application that will also assist with determining eligibility.  Interested individuals not selected by the final draw date will be notified that the Interest List has been canceled and will re-open in the fall, pending additional funding.

2018-2019 Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Interest List Form

Now Closed

Current Annual Action Plan Schedule

In developing the 2020 – 2021 Annual Action Plan, the City: 1) obtained input from interested persons on housing and community development needs; 2) conducted public hearings; and 3) provided information on funding opportunities. The purpose of all outreach effort is to examine and discuss the nature and types of assistance required to address the City’s future housing and community development goals and priorities. The workshops, hearings, and surveys enable the public, local service providers, community organizations, interested government or other agencies, and individuals to provide comments and views on the housing, community, and economic needs and strategies to be outlined in the Annual Action Plan. Citizens, public and private agencies, and other interested stakeholders and parties were invited and encouraged to attend and participate in this discussion.

The 2020 – 2021 annual action planning process ran alongside the 2020 – 2024 Consolidated 5-Year Planning Process. The process began with several rounds of Community Workshops to gather input from the community and interested stakeholders. Ten workshops were held from November 2 through November 6; 3 workshops were held from December 9 through December 12; and 3 additional workshops were held from January 21 through January 23. An additional workshop was held to discuss barriers to fair housing choice on February 13, and a workshop was held at the Housing and Community Development Commission meeting on February 26. Additional input was collected during over 25 interviews and focus groups with community service providers and citywide leadership. All of the community workshops and conversations included Spanish and Hmong interpreting services. Community input was further collected using a Community Needs Survey. The survey was made available online and distributed in paper format all community workshops and conversations and advertised in local newspapers and social media. Over 500 surveys were completed.The 5-year plan and annual action plan drafts were made available during a Public Comment Period from February 28 through May 20. Documents may be viewed on the Plans and Reports section of this site.

The process concluded with two Public Hearings, the first before the Housing and Community Development Commission on May 13, and the second before the City Council on May 14, 2020. The City Council passed a resolution authorizing the submission of the plans on May 21, 2020. Presentations given at each meeting are available on the ‘5-Year Consolidated Plan’ section of this site.

On May 22, 2020, requests for funding applications were released for the projects approved by City Council on May 21, 2020. Information regarding these applications may be found on the ‘Notice of Funding Availability’ section of this website.

Schedule of Key Dates (dates subject to any HUD delays in announcing funding allocations or other unforeseen circumstances)

Date Description
November 2019 Community Workshops (10)
Interviews and focus groups (25+)
December 2019 Community Workshops (3)
Community Needs Survey (500+ responses)
January 2020 Community Workshops (3)
February 2020 Community Workshops (1)
Housing & Community Development Commission Public Workshop (2/26/2020)
Spring 2020 Public Comment Period (February 28-May 20, 2020)
May 2020 Housing & Community Development Commission Public Hearing (5/13/2020)
HUD Allocation Announcement (exact date to be determined)
Public Hearing and City Council Consideration (5/14/2020)
Release of Requests for Funding Applications (5/22/2020)
June 2020 Funding Applications Due (6/22/2020)
August 2020 City Council Consideration of Subrecipient Agreements (Summer 2020)

5-Year Consolidated Plan

5-Year Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments

5-Year Consolidated Plan
The City of Fresno developed a 5-Year 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan to assess the current housing market, discuss characteristics of the city’s population, identify community improvement priorities, and outline a five-year plan to fund and implement them.  The City receives approximately $11 million each year in funds under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Act (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) programs.  The Consolidated Plan is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to guide how and where these funds are used over the coming five years.

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
A separate study called an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) was also be conducted to identify barriers to equal access to housing and neighborhood opportunities.  The AI will set policy recommendations to help ensure that Fresno’s neighborhoods are inclusive and free from barriers that restrict residents’ access to opportunities like transportation, jobs, and schools.

Community Needs Input: Needs Survey and Resident Meetings
The opinions and perceptions of local residents are an important part of this study. 17 community meetings were held between November 2019 and February 2020 at various locations throughout the City. A community needs survey was distributed at meetings and online through a link on the City’s website.  The 5-year annual action plan drafts were made available during a Public Comment Period from February 28 through May 20. The process concluded with two Public Hearings, the first before the Housing and Community Development Commission on May 13, and the second before the City Council on May 14, 2020. The City Council passed a resolution authorizing the submission of the plans on May 21, 2020.

Community Meeting Presentations Regarding the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice:

Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD)

The Fresno EIFD is necessary to support the provisions of needed public infrastructure and promote economic development within the Fresno EIFD and the City.  The Council’s goal for the Fresno EIFD is to create the means by which to assist in the provision of public facilities of communitywide significance that provide significant benefits and promotes economic development within the boundaries of the Fresno EIFD or the surrounding community and, for those facilities located outside the Fresno EIFD boundaries which also have a tangible connection to the Fresno EIFD.

Public Meetings

May 26th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. – Initial public meeting of the Public Financing Authority to present the draft Infrastructure Financing Plan, answer questions about the plan, and consider comments related to the plan (meeting details included in the Notice of Public Hearing document available below).
May 26, 2020 Agenda

July 30th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. – Public hearing of the Public Financing Authority to hear all written and oral comments on the plan, but take no action (meeting details included in the Notice of Public Hearing document available below).

August 31st, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. – Public hearing of the Public Financing Authority to consider any additional written and oral comments and take action to modify or reject the Infrastructure Financing Plan (meeting details included in the Notice of Public Hearing document available below).

Documents
Resolution 2020-084 Establish the Fresno Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District
 Notice of Public Hearing on May 26, 2020
Draft Infrastructure Financing Plan – June 2020
Draft Appendix A to IFP – Map – May 2020
Draft Appendix B to IFP – Legal Description – May 2020
Draft Appendix C to IFP – Tax Increment Analysis – May 2020
Draft Appendix D to IFP – Fiscal Impact Analysis – May 2020
Draft Appendix E to IFP – Southern Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Plan
Draft Appendix F to IFP – General Plan Master Environmental Impact Report
Public Financing Authority Presentation – May 26, 2020
Notice of Public Hearing on July 30, 2020
Notice of Public Hearing on August 31, 2020

Map

Fresno EIFD Map

Fresno EIFD Map