Fresno County creates Office of Housing and Homelessness to centralize regional response

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted on Nov. 18 to authorize an Office of Housing and Homelessness within the County Administrative Office to centralize leadership, coordinate regional partners and improve accountability for homelessness programs.

Deputy CAO Mina Flores Becker told the board the office would bring together operational management and identified homelessness programs now spread across departments, serving as the county’s administrative arm for the Fresno‑Madera Continuum of Care and managing state and federal homelessness funding. Staff proposed transferring six positions from the Department of Social Services into the new office and returning to the board with a budget and salary resolution by March 2026, with an update on operations due by November 2026.

Supervisors praised the move as a chance to streamline services and set measurable outcomes, while others warned about added bureaucracy and emphasized the need for clear regional memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with cities, including the City of Fresno and Clovis, and equitable allocations for rural areas. Board members asked that the office prioritize accountability, measurable goals and outreach beyond the city of Fresno.

Public commenters and supervisors with rural districts urged the county to ensure funding and services reach unincorporated and smaller jurisdictions, not only urban areas. Staff said the office will coordinate with behavioral health and other departments for clinical outreach and will work with cities on a regional MOU.

The motion passed by voice vote; staff will begin transferring functions in December 2025 and return with a budget and salary resolution in March 2026.