Housing is a basic need. Yet Fresno faces a housing crisis hurting renters, buyers

We’re advocates, leaders, parents and we are only two of the thousands of residents in Fresno experiencing a housing crisis. For years, we have dedicated countless hours to improving our schools, our neighborhoods, our air and so much more. We do this not just for our families but for all Fresno communities because everyone deserves a chance to have dignified housing, clean air, and healthy communities. After years of advocating for the most basic of needs and minimal change, it seems that Fresno does not want us here.

We live in houses full of mold, homes that are deteriorating, and landlords that don’t seem to be in a hurry to fix any of these issues. We’re afraid of reporting housing issues to the city’s code enforcement for fear of retaliation and getting evicted.

And even with a lack of repairs and uninhabitable conditions, our rents continue to rise since we first moved in. From $650 to $950 or $360 to $689; every year, our rents go up more and more and we continue to pay them, and the apartments remain in the same or worse condition.

We’ve tried looking elsewhere, but everything is too expensive. We dream of owning our homes, of providing better for our children, of living in healthy environments. We hope to see that one day, but we cannot afford to keep waiting. We continue to put our family’s health and well-being in hopes of our elected leaders taking action.

For nearly a decade, we have engaged in housing plans, budget processes, and every other opportunity to share our concerns and solutions to improve Fresno’s housing situation, and year after year we see the same inaction. Fast forward to the last few years of the pandemic and our city, which was already housing burdened, is now beginning to push out many of our friends and neighbors, who are unable to afford $100 or $200 rent increases.

With an increase of 28% over the last year, the median price for a one-bedroom is now $1,410. That’s too high. And while Fresno rents continue to increase, wages remain stagnant, and the pandemic has exacerbated many issues that Fresnans face. Fresno is deemed to have one of the hottest rental markets in the state, but what’s not being shared is how our longtime neighbors and friends are being displaced and losing their homes as these trends continue. Renters are faced with the choice to stay and pay exorbitant rents or leave their homes.

And for those wanting to become homeowners, that dream is also becoming more out of reach. According to CalMatters the average home now sells for $331,000. A price inaccessible by many residents who don’t have the credit, the savings, the wages, or the immigration status needed. And these prices are only predicted to increase more.

But all hope isn’t lost because the city of Fresno has the historic chance to implement meaningful housing policies for everyone through the Here to Stay report. It contains 46 comprehensive housing policies that were developed in partnership with the public and extensive research to reduce and prevent displacement in Fresno. It includes policies about improving our local minimum wage, expanding homeownership opportunities, and creating more affordable housing.

With Fresno facing some of the highest rental increases in the nation — ranking No. 1 for the greatest rental increase in 2021 — the stakes have never been higher.

The Here to Stay Report further identifies 10 policies and programs that our mayor and City Council could and should enact now to help alleviate many urgent housing pressures. Of those, we want to see the following implemented as soon as possible:

1. Rent control

2. Right to counsel

3. Homeowner and rental assistance programs

This report can help ensure that landlords and tenants are protected, provide tools for Fresno families to build generational wealth, and support our unhoused community by making sure they receive the services and resources they need. The report was finalized in October, and it’s now up to our elected officials to take action and move the Here to Stay Report forward.

Our city leaders continue to acknowledge that Fresno is going through a homelessness and housing crisis, yet fail to take any meaningful action for their constituents. The time is now and tenants cannot afford to wait anymore. Will the city finally step up?