How much should Fresno spend on homeless? OK for nearly $9 million met with call for more
Two nonprofit organizations have been awarded a combined $8.9 million by the city of Fresno for a one-year contract to continue operating a quintet of converted Parkway Drive motels as emergency shelters for the homeless.
Visalia-based Turning Point of Central California was selected as the winning bidder to run the Parkway Inn and Valley Inn, receiving a contract from the city for more than $3.7 million. Elevate Community Services of Fresno won a $5.2 million contract to operate shelters at the Villa Motel and Travel Inn on Parkway Drive, as well as the Ambassador Inn shelter on Olive Avenue just west of Parkway Drive.
Each of the contracts includes the potential for a one-year extension.
Turning Point and Elevate were the only two firms to submit bids in response to the city’s request for proposals last fall to operate the shelters.
The five motels were acquired by the city of Fresno using millions of dollars in state homeless funds and federal CARES Act grants. They are among at least nine properties that have been acquired by the city as well as the Fresno Housing Authority in an effort to put a dent in the number of people living and sleeping on the streets.
The two Turning Point shelters, Valley Inn and Parkway Inn, have a combined 169 emergency shelter beds: 107 at the Valley Inn, and 62 at the Parkway Inn.
At the three former motels under operation by Elevate, there are 275 shelter beds: 150 at the Travel Inn, 65 at the Villa Motel and 60 at the Ambassador Inn.
In addition to managing the beds at the shelters, the contractors are expected to provide “intensive case management services that focus on helping participants develop a housing plan and overcome barriers to attaining permanent housing.”
Both operators’ programs include no requirements of individuals for income or sobriety.
Clients express concerns: ‘Would any of you eat this?’
The shelters have been a source of concern for both city officials and homeless advocates over how people are treated. An investigation by The Fresno Bee earlier this year uncovered a trove of abuses by security guards for the shelter operators, leading to calls to replace the security service contractor.
On Thursday, homeless persons and advocates including the Fresno Homeless Union pleaded with City Council members for increased mental health services; improvements in provision of basic supplies such as razors, toothpaste, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products; a curb to abuses by shelter staff and security guards; and better breakfasts and lunches.
A woman who identified herself as Kristen from the Fresno Homeless Union tried to deliver a polystyrene tray of food to council members but was rebuffed by Council President Tyler Maxwell. “This is what we get for dinner,” she said as she held the container aloft to show to the members. “Would any of you eat this?”
Arias says homeless have to be part of solution
Councilmember Miguel Arias, whose council district of southwest Fresno includes the Parkway Drive shelters, responded to critics later in the day as he thanked the city’s staff and community organizations for their work to get the shelters up and running.
“This morning we had to hear from people about the quality of breakfast” at the shelters, Arias said in a soliloquy Thursday afternoon. “I just want to put things in context. Three years ago, all those folks were simply in the streets. We weren’t offering breakfast or lunch. We weren’t offering a roof over their head. We weren’t offering any social services.”
Arias added that he struggles with the criticism “because I think all have a responsibility as able-bodied individuals to do our part and not simply rely on any one government entity to get them out of a situation that took years to enter into.”
“Speaking as someone who had two siblings on the streets of Fresno, the first and most difficult step is that individual making a decision, doing their part,” he continued. “And simply coming and criticizing the rest of the folks who are trying to help, and the one agency in my view that’s doing the most any agency has ever done, is unfair.”
“Ultimately, if people want a better quality of breakfast,” Arias added, “they can walk over to Denny’s and buy themselves a breakfast.”
This story was originally published April 1, 2023 at 12:03 PM.
