Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and other leaders broke ground Friday on a $40 million affordable housing development providing 54 high-quality units where a lot stands empty east of downtown Friday.

The $40 million project includes $5 million from the city’s housing trust fund. The builders anticipate a late 2027 opening.

“During my high school years and college years, I would work in the field with my relatives,” said Fresno City Councilmember Brandon Vang, whose district covers southeast Fresno.

“At the crack of dawn, we would get up, work until night, and then come home. And of course, during the school years, I would be hitting the books. I was one of those kids who worked in the fields. And here I am today, standing in front of you.”

The ‘Lingo Brothers’

The builder is Integrated Community Development, represented at the groundbreaking by Jake Lingo. His brother, Ben Lingo, is a principal with the firm, which is involved in all aspects of real estate development.

Said Dyer: “It is incumbent upon us as a city to work with folks like the Lingo Brothers to be able to provide (farmworkers) with a safe and affordable place to live that they can call home after a hard day of work in our fields.”

The mayor added, “Between now and the end of the year we’ll be doing seven groundbreakings similar to this that involve over 560 units within our city.”

Jake Lingo said that projects like this are a team effort.

“Projects like this don’t happen because of one organization and I will say that it makes me proud when Mr. Mayor refers to us as the Lingo Brothers, which he’s branded us that.

“That is not our company, but it gives me great joy to hear that because I’m very proud of the work that I do with my brother. But this happens because of partnerships.”

Integrated Community Development is also building the Senior Center at Blackstone and Holland Avenues. It also built The Link @ Blackstone Avenue near Fresno City College.

Who Will Be Eligible to Live in the Apartments?

The Ventura Family apartments will serve households that earn between 30% and 60% of Fresno’s median income.

“It is designed specifically to meet the needs of farm workers, agricultural workers within our city. And although I’m excited about the buildings that will be on this property, I’m much more excited about what’s going to happen behind the walls of those buildings,” Dyer said.