Shelters in Fresno to cease operations by year's end
In the heart of California, the city of Fresno is facing a significant challenge as the funding for two of its shelters, The Journey Home and Golden State Triage Center, is running out. This funding shortage has led to the decision to close both shelters by the end of the year, leaving over 120 residents in need of new accommodations.
The Journey Home, located in central Fresno, and the Golden State Triage Center in west central Fresno, have been providing temporary shelter to those in need during the pandemic. The funding for these shelters, which came from the "Project Homekey" grant money from the state, has now been exhausted.
The closure of these shelters is expected to have a significant impact on the homeless population in Fresno. One of the residents affected is Raymond Rayos, who had been living at The Journey Home for only a week. Prior to moving to the shelter, he was living on the streets. Raymond shared that he had an apartment but could no longer afford the rent increase, which was $2,000 and is now expected to go up further.
In an effort to address this issue, the Fresno Housing Authority is assisting the residents of the closing shelters in finding a new place to live. Tiffany Townsend, Deputy Executive Director of the Fresno Housing Authority, is optimistic that one of the closing shelters will be turned into permanent housing.
Meanwhile, the Fresno Mission, a local organisation, is considering expanding to accommodate more people seeking shelter. Matthew Dildine, CEO of the Fresno Mission, suggests that local Fresno residents have the power to provide more funding to change the community and potentially help those in need of shelter.
However, specific plans for permanent housing for the affected residents have not been detailed in the current information. Further information from local authorities would be needed to clarify the long-term housing plans for those displaced by the shelter closures.
As the deadline for the shelter closures approaches, the Fresno Mission is preparing for an influx of people seeking shelter as funding runs out and more people are displaced. The city of Fresno and its housing authorities are working diligently to find solutions to ensure the well-being of those affected by the shelter closures.
The funding crisis for The Journey Home and Golden State Triage Center, two shelters in Fresno, necessitates a change in policy-and-legislation, particularly to address the needs of the 120 residents now without shelter. This predicament underscores the pressing politics surrounding general-news issues like housing and homelessness in Fresno.
