Fresno homeless shelter to close just before Thanksgiving

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno homeless shelter will close its doors shortly before Thanksgiving.

The Golden State Triage Center off West Olive Avenue ran out of state funding, forcing operations to come to an end on Nov. 15.

“We knew that money wouldn’t be provided to us from the state forever. So there has been a plan to convert those emergency shelters into permanent, affordable housing. And that’s what we’ve been doing,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.

The Fresno Housing Authority, which owns the shelter, made this announcement back in July. So, CEO Tyrone Roderick Williams says people have known well in advance that this closure would happen. Regardless, Williams insists no one will be turned out to the streets.

The Housing Authority is exhausting every resource to help transition the residents as the shutdown approaches.

Williams tells YourCentralValley.com that they are paying application fees, first month’s rent, and even providing transportation to visit other facilities.

“And we’re continuing to provide ongoing management services while this is in transition,” he said.

The 50-unit center opened back in January of 2021.

“As of today, there are 21 units still occupied,” Williams said.

In order to turn this site into affordable housing, Williams says they need to secure $23 million first. So, he says they’re actively applying for competitive state funding.

“This is going to be adaptive reuse. What that means is we’re anticipating on just tearing down the units all the way down to the studs and rebuilding high-quality, safe, affordable housing.”

There’s vacant land on the site to build additional units.

“If all goes well, we could start construction in late 2026 or early 2027,” Williams said.

Journey Home, located off Parkway Drive, also owned by Fresno Housing but funded through the city, is expected to close its doors at the end of December. That site houses roughly 80 residents. The plan is to turn it into affordable, permanent housing as well.