How Dyer won over Newsom so Fresno could house the homeless with $6 million state funding

The City of Fresno was awarded $6 million in state funding Tuesday for its effort to provide housing and other assistance to the city’s homeless.

The aid package was announced by Mayor Jerry Dyer, and followed a meeting Friday with Gov. Gavin Newsom, where the governor praised Dyer as a “perfect example of a working partner” in the effort to find solutions to the homeless issue.

Previously, on Nov. 3, Newsom said the state would not pay out grant money that cities and counties asked for to reduce homelessness. Those communities weren’t ambitious enough in their plans to get unsheltered people off the streets, he said.

But Dyer was apparently able to convince him otherwise.

The city will receive the funding within the next 30 days.

Said Dyer: “In Fresno, we continue to make housing the homeless a primary priority. We have mapped out a sustainable and attainable plan that is results-driven.

“Together with our partners, we have seen dramatic progress, especially by housing those previously on our freeways ... we are grateful to have these funds reinstated and available to continue our work.”

This story was originally published November 22, 2022 at 7:11 PM.