Public, council debate Fresno’s eviction protection program funding as staff seek midyear carryover option

Public comment at the budget hearing included several speakers urging the City Council to increase funding for the Eviction Protection Program (EPP) to meet growing demand. Advocates asked the council to raise operational funding to $2.5 million for FY26 and for new tenant protections such as rent stabilization and a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act study and seed funding.

City Attorney staff described the EPP’s caseload and structure: the office reported roughly 2,700 intakes since the program began and 326 intakes last year. Staff said the mayor’s proposed FY26 budget included $1.5 million for EPP and that outside counsel assist on eviction matters. The City Attorney noted a rise in criminal cases handled by the office and explained existing efforts to pursue fines and liens for illegal smoke shops and other code violations.

Several council members — including District 2 and District 3 representatives — said they would like to see a larger contingency available given the expected demand and broader economic pressures. One member proposed that council place up to $500,000 in the carryover queue to make the EPP operationally capable of up to $2 million if needed; the city attorney and mayor clarified that any carryover allocation would depend on availability when carryover funds are reviewed in January/February.

Outcome and next steps: The motion to hold up to $500,000 in reserve for EPP was proposed and discussed; staff described the mechanics (carryover funding would be considered at the mid‑year carryover review) but there was not a recorded final vote at the hearing. The city attorney agreed to provide a memo on landlord reimbursement recovery and other program metrics requested by council.