\t\t\t\t\tWhat’s at stake?<\/p>\n
The news comes as the Trump administration directs money away from long-term supportive housing, preferring transitional housing alternatives.<\/p>\n
In what could be a sign of things to come, two Fresno supportive housing projects will close next month following federal funding cuts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Stasis Center<\/a> on 4135 E Olive Ave, and Falcon Court<\/a> on 4415 N Clark St \u2014 two supportive housing projects managed by Turning Point of California \u2014\u00a0 will close in January due to a lack of funding, according to a Fresno County news release<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in November<\/a> capped funding for Rapid Re-Housing<\/a> and Permanent Supportive Housing<\/a> programs \u2014 two bedrock outlets disabled and homeless people have been relying upon for years to help them transition into a life of stability.\u00a0<\/p>\n The federal government is, instead, ordering local housing officials to prioritize short-term, transitional housing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Katie Wilbur, the vice chair of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, told Fresnoland that the \u201csudden, radical\u201d shift in priorities doesn\u2019t align with the perspective of local housing officials. Continuum of care organizations<\/a> are tasked with applying for and disbursing federal housing funds.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that is not the right solution for everybody, which is why we have always prioritized permanent supportive housing,\u201d Wilbur said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Historically, the FMCoC spent most of its funding on Permanent Supportive Housing solutions. The new HUD plan<\/a> now directs the local continuum of care groups to spend no more than 30% of federal funding on the programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Between the drastic cuts and shutdown-related delays, the Fresno-Madera region expects to lose about $5 million in funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely disruptive and very disappointing\u2026 \u2018devastating\u2019 is really the word,\u201d Wilbur said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Turning Point has already given their properties\u2019 80 tenants a 60-day notice to leave. Wilbur said the sites will close on Jan. 31.\u00a0<\/p>\n