Fresno’s revised housing plan earns state approval

The set of city policies outlining Fresno’s goals for future housing has been revised to satisfy deficiencies identified by the state and local community advocates.

Prior to last week, the latest update to the housing element of Fresno’s General Plan was adopted a year ago. But that version failed to adequately address how Fresno would ensure that the city has enough land available for affordable housing, according to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The deficiencies also triggered a lawsuit by housing advocates. The changes adopted last week by the Fresno City Council included identifying properly zoned land for a total of nearly 28,000 housing units – houses, apartments or mobile homes – for low-income residents across the city.

Fresno received the state’s approval of the proposed revisions earlier this month. Other changes approved by the state include annual progress reports tracking the available inventory of property for low-income housing development, residential code enforcement, and a program to improve outreach to residents in mobile home parks on resources and support available to them. Housing advocates say they will keep a close eye on the city to ensure that the plans adopted are actually put into action.

This story was originally published April 17, 2017 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Fresno’s revised housing plan earns state approval."