Honoring Our Community Members - Tribute to the Homeless Population
In the heart of California, Fresno continues to grapple with the persistent issue of homelessness. Despite recent efforts to address this concern, homelessness remains a significant issue in the city as we approach mid-2025 [1].
On December 21, 2021, a Homeless Persons Memorial event was held at Eaton Plaza, organised by Fresno Homeless Advocates, to remember the lives lost on the streets of Fresno over the past year [6]. The gathering was a poignant reminder of the human toll of homelessness and the urgent need for action.
At a state level, California has made strides under Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration to slow the growth of homelessness. Since 2019, the state has significantly limited the growth of unsheltered homelessness, with a 0.45% increase compared to a nearly 7% nationwide growth [2]. California has also achieved the nation’s largest reduction in veteran homelessness and reductions in youth homelessness.
Key statewide legislative measures include exemptions in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for housing and infrastructure projects to speed development, reforming building regulations and safety standards for homeless shelters, enhancing renter tax credits, and streamlining housing approvals to increase housing supply [2].
Locally, the Fresno City Council is actively considering policy changes to expedite housing development. The aim is to regain Fresno’s Prohousing Designation from the state, which would unlock millions in grants to support housing development. However, this has been a topic of controversy, with some council members and community voices concerned about easing developer regulations without sufficient oversight [4].
Homeless outreach teams in Fresno have reported some success in placing individuals into housing or shelters, with 357 placements made between May 2024 and May 2025. However, many people experiencing homelessness have refused help, indicating challenges remain in engagement and service acceptance [3].
Fresno completed an unsheltered homelessness surge event in January 2025, reflecting ongoing targeted efforts to reduce homelessness in the city [1]. Yet, it is estimated that 1400 people live on the streets of Fresno [7].
Moreover, California, including Fresno, is seeing a rise in homelessness among vulnerable populations such as students, with the state reporting a 9.3% increase in homeless students as of 2025 [5].
The San Joaquin Valley Free Medical Clinic and Needle Exchange, a vital resource in Fresno, emphasises the importance of harm prevention in keeping people alive until they are ready and able to receive treatment for addictions that may be part of their homelessness [8].
Ron Martin, a community advocate, also emphasised the importance of community and social identity in remembering the people who died homeless. He shared a challenge prepared with Paul Thomas Jackson, advocating for the passage of AB 2200 to establish CalCare, health care for all Californians [9].
In No Man Is an Island, John Donne's famous poem, he wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent." This sentiment was echoed at the memorial event, reminding us that each person's death impacts the community, and addressing homelessness is a collective responsibility.
As efforts continue to address homelessness in Fresno, challenges in housing affordability, service engagement, and community dynamics persist. However, the ongoing collaboration between local and state authorities, community organisations, and advocates offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against this pressing issue.
In light of the ongoing homelessness crisis, community-led initiatives like the Homeless Persons Memorial event, which took place on December 21, 2021, aim to bring attention to the intersection of health-and-wellness and mental-health issues experienced by those living on the streets. Despite California's progress in limiting the growth of unsheltered homelessness under Governor Gavin Newsom's administration, mental health and physical health services remain crucial components of comprehensive solutions for addressing homelessness, particularly in a city like Fresno where over 1400 individuals are estimated to be homeless.
