Update, 11/14/2019, 9:30 a.m.: Councilman Luis Chavez pulled the General Plan item from today's council agenda, continuing it until Dec. 5. He says he wants to wait for Mayor Lee Brand to return from his vacation in order to support the resolution. Also, Councilman Miguel Arias added his name as...
Walters: Housing Crisis — Fits and Starts
The latest developments in California’s housing crisis are, as usual, mixed. In September, according to the Legislature’s budget analyst, permits for 10,580 new housing units were issued, a 13% increase from August and a 40% boost from September 2018. However, overall housing starts are still running below 2018’s level, meaning the...
Matthew Desmond Digs into 'Eviction' at Warnors Theatre
New York Times best-selling author Matthew Desmond will talk about the impact of eviction on the lives of low-income families and its role in racial and economic inequality at Fresno's Warnors Theatre on Thursday night. Listen to this article: Desmond's most acclaimed book is "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in...
Apple Commits $2.5B to Combat California Housing Crisis
CUPERTINO — Apple has committed $2.5 billion to ease California's housing crisis, eclipsing similar pledges by fellow Silicon Valley giants Google and Facebook to address a lack of affordable housing in the region they call home. Apple's pledge Monday includes a $1 billion fund to build new homes for households...
Pending Home Sales Reached a 21-Month High in September
WASHINGTON — More Americans signed contracts to buy homes in September, a sign that the housing market is still benefiting from lower mortgage rates. The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday that its pending home sales index rose 1.5% from August to September to 108.7, its highest level since December...
Fox News' Judge Jeanine Isn't Coming to Central Valley
Judge Jeanine Pirro's scheduled visit to Tulare is not happening. The Fox News personality was scheduled to speak at a rally organized by the Valley Young Republicans PAC on Nov. 7. However, the event is no longer mentioned in the group's social media. The International Agri-Center in Tulare, where Pirro's...
Affordable Housing Among Striking Chicago Teachers' Demands
CHICAGO — Striking Chicago teachers who are seeking smaller class sizes and higher pay also are demanding that the nation's third-largest city do more to lower housing costs and put more resources into helping homeless students. The demand for affordable housing citywide — for students and their financially-strapped families as well as...
Swearengin Named to State Committee on Housing, Econ
Ashley Swearengin, Fresno's former mayor and current president/CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, will serve on a new state economic committee. Organized by California Treasurer Fiona Ma, Swearengin is part of the 12-member Housing, Economic Development, Jobs and Opportunity Zone Ad Hoc Committee. Listen to this article: "I sought creative...
New California Laws Aim to Speed Housing Construction
SACRAMENTO — A new California law aims to stop communities from delaying construction of new housing projects. It's one of 18 housing bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. State lawmakers have passed dozens of bills aimed at boosting funding for affordable housing, easing development restrictions and helping renters facing...
Aerosmith Named MusiCare's 2020 Person of the Year
SANTA MONICA — An organization that helps music professionals who need financial, personal or medical assistance will honor Aerosmith as its 2020 person of the year. MusiCares announced Friday it will recognize the four-time Grammy-winning band for its philanthropic efforts and for its impact on American music over five decades....