Affordable housing remains one of the most pressing concerns across Central California. In Clovis, Fresno, and beyond, the challenge of ensuring that families, seniors, farmworkers, and vulnerable populations have access to safe, stable housing calls for thoughtful collaboration. This coordination matters—not just for individual cities but for the broader Fresno County region—where shared approaches can help amplify funding, speed up project delivery, and avoid duplication of efforts.
At the heart of this effort are three key players: the City of Clovis, the City of Fresno, and the Fresno County Community Development Division, working together with Fresno Housing (the county’s housing authority and developer). Each brings its strengths—whether policy tools, funding access, or development capacity—to advance housing projects. In this article, we’ll explore how these entities align through zoning incentives, funding strategies, and shared programs, illustrating how regional partnerships are expanding affordable housing options and serving diverse community needs.
In Clovis, the focus on affordable housing blends local policy innovation with strategic incentives. The city created a Regional Housing Needs (RHN) overlay zone, encouraging developers to build affordable units—resulting in projects like Butterfly Gardens (75 permanent supportive units built in 2022) and Solvita Commons (a 60-unit affordable complex completed in 2021).
Clovis also introduced an Affordable Housing Fee Reduction Program, allocating $1 million in 2019 and later $300,000, to offset development impact fees for housing developments. These funds supported key projects: Solvita Commons and Butterfly Gardens, among others. Additionally, Clovis streamlined multi-family housing approvals through a ministerial review process, reducing delays and costs for affordable housing developers.
Moreover, Clovis supports a range of housing types—from senior and disability-accessible housing to single-family infill homes—expanding inclusion across low- and extremely low-income groups. This policy environment lays the foundation for broader coordination with county and Fresno Housing programs.
At the county level, Fresno County’s Community Development Division administers funding opportunities through the 2025 Affordable Housing Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This initiative streamlines multiple funding streams—PLHA, HOME, HOME-CHDO, and HOME-ARP—into a unified application and approval process, simplifying access for affordable housing developers.
Separately, Fresno County applied for over $65 million in state Homekey+ funding (from Proposition 1) to develop housing for veterans, homeless individuals, and those with mental health challenges. Proposals include a 63-unit project on W. Olive Avenue executed alongside Fresno Housing, and a 51-unit development in Sanger with another developer. These efforts demonstrate how the County and Fresno Housing align on leveraging large-scale state resources.
Fresno Housing plays a dual role—not only managing vouchers and rental units but also acting as an affordable housing developer. It oversees around 80 multi-family developments and serves nearly 50,000 residents through rental housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. The agency delivers supportive services, educational programs, and community-building efforts at its sites.
Since 2010, Fresno Housing has developed over 2,100 new or renovated affordable housing units, with $600 million worth of projects, serving as a vertically integrated developer—from initial feasibility through management.
Crucially, Fresno Housing partners with both cities and the county, repaying loans to the City of Fresno, reinvesting in neighborhood improvements, and leveraging its development capacity to implement local and county priorities.
When cities like Clovis and Fresno align their zoning incentives and fee relief with the funding coordination of Fresno County, and leverage the development capabilities of Fresno Housing, a powerful regional framework for affordable housing takes shape. This collaboration bridges policy, financing, and delivery—creating housing that meets the needs of low-income families, seniors, farmworkers, and vulnerable residents across Fresno County. As funding cycles and housing needs evolve, this cooperative approach offers a promising model for sustainable, inclusive housing growth—encouraging continued innovation and shared investment in our communities’ future.
Ready to explore how regional partnerships like these can benefit your own community or investment strategies? Reach out today to learn more!
Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA
Your trusted advisor in business and wealth
www.ericfrazier-com-869976.hostingersite.com | www.thepowerisnow.com | www.ericfrazier.net
NMLS #451807 | CA DRE #01143484
Schedule a consultation
County of Fresno – Public Works & Planning, Community Development Division. (2025, August 27). Community development division (ConPlan portal). https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Public-Works-and-Planning/divisions-of-public-works-and-planning/community-development-division