Fresno County supervisors are giving an affordable housing developer until early 2025 to secure $32 million for a controversial project.

Otherwise, the county will withdraw from an application for $11.9 million in state funding.

Supervisor Steve Brandau said on Tuesday that the $56 million Libre Commons proposed by developers UPHoldings and Self-Help Enterprises is no longer financially feasible.

The county had secured $11.9 million in state funding for the 86-unit affordable housing project near the Old Fig Garden neighborhood. The complex would have rooms reserved for mental health treatment, especially for those leaving homelessness.

But since then, the city of Fresno pulled $3 million for the project, saying money wasn’t available in their budget.

In the end, at Tuesday’s board meeting, Brandau couldn’t get a second on his motion to end county support and with it the state funding.

Supervisor Nathan Magsig — who has experience in the affordable housing sector —then proposed giving the project until Jan. 5 to find the funding.

Magsig’s proposal passed on a 4-1 vote with Brandau opposed.

On the same day that Brandau sought to cut funding for the housing project, he also had his anti-camping ordinance approved.

“The irony of putting forward an encampment resolution and all of the comments about how we need more services and housing because of the encampments and then to at the same time have a resolution rejecting state funding for housing makes you scratch your head,” said UPHoldings President Jessica Hoff.

Related Story: Brandau Wants County to Start Clearing Homeless Encampments

Project to Add Mental Health Services, Beds

After the city pulled its funding for the project, Brandau said the county has taken a more active role than the “supportive role” they originally intended.

Hoff Berzac said the only support from the county they need is the backing that allows state funding to go to the project.

The state has prioritized shovel-ready projects like Libre Commons, Hoff Berzac said. She said she’s optimistic about filling the remaining funding gap.

Efforts to build Libre Commons at 63 W. Shaw Ave. began in 2019 when it was called The Glenn. The county secured the $11.9 million from the state in 2022.

The first iteration of the project was 124 units across five stories. Many Old Fig Garden residents objected, saying the apartment would look into neighbors’ backyards, and that it would impact parking.

Developers held two community meetings and ultimately reduced the units “as a gesture of good will,” said Jared Davis, project manager for UPHoldings. The portion of the building facing neighborhoods was also lowered to four stories from five. Parking was also expanded.

“It didn’t move the needle much, but we tried,” Davis told GV Wire. Davis said some neighbors brought veiled complaints about bringing affordable housing to the wealthy area.

Of the rooms, 42 would be for individuals and households with mental health needs, especially those exiting homelessness.

Fresno County Behavioral Health Department sponsored the project’s application.

“The county wraps case management around each individual person with the No. 1 outcome being stabilized housing,” Hoff Berzac said.

City Cuts $3 Million, County Wants to Follow Suit

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a letter to the county that a lack of funding spurred the city’s decision to at least temporarily withdraw from the project.

“Due to several recently approved City Council resolutions, our existing funding has been fully committed towards a variety of other projects,” Dyer said in the February letter. “Please be assured, however, Libre Commons remains eligible for future funding that may become available.”

With the city withdrawing its funding, Brandau wanted to follow suit. Brandau said the county’s role was “very minor” and “supportive.”

Magsig called for more coordination between the city and county.

“If it is true the city has pulled $3 million of initial commitment, then that is something that is concerning,” Magsig said.

But Berzac said the project is not contingent on county funds.

“We have not requested anything from the county except continued support for an existing state award,” Hoff Berzac said. “We are not asking the county to replace the city funds or fill any financing gaps, we simply need more time to secure remaining funds to start construction.”

Brandau Calls to Make Camping Illegal

Three women receiving services from the Marjaree Mason Center went before the supervisors Tuesday to explain how hard it is to find housing.

Theresa Baldwin spoke with her son King in her arms.

“Everybody goes home and each day we reset, right? We wake up and next day, no mistakes, right? If a person isn’t allowed to go home for that mental reset, then we don’t have the behavioral resources for when that person can’t reset,” Baldwin said.

Brandau’s anti-camping ordinance forbids people from camping in public places. Homeless advocates say a lack of affordable housing keeps people on the streets.

Dez Martinez, director of the Fresno Homeless Union said the ordinance criminalizes homelessness.

“I understand there are going to be 40 units of permanent supportive housing which would benefit a lot of individuals that are currently on the streets that Mr. Brandau and the rest of you guys want to go ahead and throw in jail instead of house,” said Martinez.

Brandau said the two issues are completely separate.

“Like apples and broccoli,” he told GV Wire.