What homelessness solutions do Fresno City Council District 7 candidates pitch?
A housing first model, introducing safe camps where people experiencing homelessness can stay legally and supporting Fresno’s no-camping ordinance are a few of the positions City Council District 7 candidates have taken to address the homelessness crisis.
The controversial anti-camping ordinance, passed in fall 2024 by the current council, bans sleeping, sitting, lying or storing personal property in public spaces, allowing for arrest as it encourages diversion into drug treatment and provisional housing over criminal charges.
Almost two years later, Fresno’s law is widely viewed as largely ineffective at reducing homelessness, with minimal participation in treatment diversions.
The Bee recently asked each of the District 7 Fresno City Council candidates in the June 2 primary election to answer a series of questions related to their campaign and positions on local issues, including homelessness. Those videos, including one focused on how the candidates answered the homeless policy question, are posted at fresnobee.com.
Fresno’s District 7 includes east-central Fresno and parts of southeast Fresno, including the Manchester, Radio Park, Romain Park, Lafayette Park/Fresno High neighborhoods. The district also includes parts of the Blackstone Avenue corridor and neighborhoods near Shields and Temperance avenues.
Four candidates are vying for the seat: community organizer and consultant Ariana Martinez Lott, Blackstone Merchants Association founder AJ Rassamni, retired paralegal Jason Keomanee and attorney Nav Gurm.
Read The Bee’s Fresno City Council District 7 voter guide here.
Here’s what homelessness solutions Fresno City Council District 7 candidates favor, in alphabetical order
Nav Gurm
“I support Fresno’s no-camping ordinance. Public spaces should not become permanent encampments. When shelter and services are offered, individuals must be required to accept help. Cities like San Jose have shown what works: rapidly expanding interim housing such as quick-build communities and tiny homes, paired with enforcement, has significantly increased the sheltered population and reduced visible street homelessness.
Fresno also needs stronger collaboration between the City and Fresno County to coordinate resources and outreach more effectively. We should fully utilize innovative tools already here.: CARE Court for those with severe mental illness, expanded job training pathways, rapid efforts to move people off the streets into stable housing, and family reunification programs that reconnect individuals with their support networks.”
Ariana Martinez Lott
“My faith has taught me that every individual is born with inherent dignity. While I am a strong supporter of addressing public safety threats deliberately caused by any individual, I do not believe in criminalizing an entire group of people for situations that are due to systemic challenges. I support evidence-based solutions such as the Housing First Model.
I will also work to strengthen support networks for our unhoused neighbors through cross-sector collaboration with mental health providers, the county, childcare providers, and job training programs. We must also continue exploring ways to prevent homelessness by streamlining internal zoning processes that currently create barriers for building affordable housing, addressing skyrocketing rent, and strengthening policies like the Rental Housing Improvement Act. We cannot afford to lose more neighbors and families to homelessness.”
AJ Rassamni
“I support establishing safe, managed camps where people experiencing homelessness can stay legally while receiving the services they need. These locations must include sanitation, case management, mental-health treatment, and proper medication and recovery support for those struggling with mental illness and addiction. Without addressing those root causes, simply moving people from one location to another will never solve the problem.
There is also a clear public safety impact. The Fresno Fire Department has reported that the homeless population is responsible for about 50% of fires in Fresno. Property owners and small businesses also experience repeated break-ins and damage near unmanaged encampments, and many businesses struggle to survive in those conditions.
When encampments remain unmanaged, neighborhoods become unsafe and economic activity declines. When people receive treatment, structure, and a path back to stability, the entire city benefits.”
In short, Fresno must replace chaos with structure and accountability, safe camps with services, treatment for mental illness and addiction, and clear expectations. If we fix that broken foundation first, Fresno will become safer, healthier, and more prosperous for everyone.
The Bee could not reach district 7 candidate Jason Keomanee for the candidate questionnaire.