Fontana council hears students and residents on housing; adopts resolution to record delinquent sewer and solid waste liens

A group of Cal State San Bernardino students and multiple residents pressed the Fontana City Council on housing needs today, saying lack of affordable housing and low awareness of assistance programs leave many families without options.

"We chose to center our project here because this is not just a place of study, but it is our home," Karimia Sanchez told the council, summarizing a community assessment the students conducted across parks, neighborhoods and downtown. The group said they completed 29 surveys and repeatedly heard two issues: a shortage of affordable housing and a lack of knowledge about existing housing-assistance programs.

Deputy City Manager Phil Birm provided a city overview of recent and planned housing investments, saying the city recently acquired a property for $26,000,000 that "immediately made available 70 new apartments, that are being rented at below market rates," and described other planned projects including a 30-unit community with permanent supportive housing and conversions of motel properties to shelter or navigation facilities.

Birm acknowledged systemic constraints: "California is in a severe housing crisis," he said, and noted the city has deployed roughly $17,000,000 toward homelessness services and new facilities over recent years while continuing to pursue state and federal funding.

During the public hearing on a separate financial item, Chief Financial Officer Jessica Brown recommended the council authorize recording liens for delinquent utility accounts as part of fiscal-recovery procedures. Brown said, "For this quarter, the proposed liens include 180 sewer accounts and 81 solid waste accounts totaling approximately $119,000." She noted liens will remain until paid and, if unpaid by July 1, be added to the county tax roll.

The council moved and adopted Resolution No. 2026-019, authorizing recording of the described liens. An oral roll call recorded three aye votes and the motion was approved.

What this means for residents: City staff described multiple ongoing efforts to increase housing supply and outreach, including below-market units, motel conversions and navigation center planning, but also acknowledged long waiting lists and limited funding. The lien action is a routine financial-collection measure staff said is authorized by state law and local practice.

Sources: Public comment (student group), deputy city manager Phil Birm, Chief Financial Officer Jessica Brown, Fontana City Council meeting record.