Preston Prince has been the executive director of the Housing Authority of the City and County of Fresno (Fresno Housing Authority) for the past four years. Previously located in Aurora, CO as director of the Housing Authority and building affordable housing in Seattle, WA, he says his responsibility now is to make sure that the Fresno Housing Authority is: "Financially solvent by providing housing to families in need, creating housing and services to the community and that children are achieving academically, that parents are able to have wage progression and able to go back to school and seniors have a good quality of life."

Prince works diligently along with Allysunn Walker-Williams, in Planning and Community Development along with Rebecca Lopez Criego, manager of Housing Programs. Their goal is to provide housing to 18,000 families. Of that 18,000, 13,000 are appointed rental assistance with 5,000 units owned or in partnership with other entities and the Fresno Housing Authority. The Fresno Housing Authority provides residential housing units in all of Fresno County except Coalinga. Prince added that, "Housing is core of what the Fresno Housing Authority does but by having stable housing, we are able to focus on other aspects of life such as education and jobs." Prince classifies the Fresno Housing Authority as an "economic engine" that brings federal dollars into the community, impacts different neighborhoods, and helps with revitalization.

Agencies that work in connection with the Fresno Housing Authority include but are not limited to: Fresno County Economic Opportunity Commission, WestCare, Spirit of Woman, West Fresno Health Care Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, Center for Independent Living, Redevelopment Agency, City of Fresno and the Mayor's "Learn to Earn" Program, County Office of Mental and Behavioral Health, Department of Housing and Urban Development and Veteran Affairs.

Prince meets with City Councilman Oliver Baines weekly to discuss housing and economic development projects within District 3. Prince says they have a fantastic working relationship. "These weekly meetings ensure that all housing projects are in alignment with the City of Fresno's vision," Prince adds. Prince also mentions that, "The Fresno Housing Authority is not an independent body, Fresnans tell us what they want to see us do and what I can do to help them."

Programs offered by the Fresno Housing Authority include the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) for low-income households where tenants pay a certain portion of rent based on what they can afford and the Fresno Housing Authority pays the rest. The participants are one third seniors and the rest single female heads of household. The basic qualification for the program is that the participant make less than $20k a year upon entry of the program.

Another housing program that the Fresno Housing Authority is in partnership with is the U.S. Department of Agriculture which is designed to develop and assist in procuring, securing and maintaining housing for migrant farm workers.

Most recently, the Fresno Housing Authority stepped up to assist housing the homeless. They are now partnering with Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) and providing direct housing for 95 homeless veterans.

There were approximately 150 Shelter Plus Care vouchers distributed to house and assist homeless individuals and families with disabilities. This partnership included the Fresno Housing Authority, the Veterans Administration, Fresno Behavioral Health, and nonprofits such as Westcare. There are several other partners that make up this collaboration but the focus of this program is to assist in helping people transition back into independent living.

The majority of the programs require 30 percent of median income upon applying. The Fresno Housing Authority's preference is housing Veterans and low-income individuals and families but Prince insisted that they just don't have enough funds to help everyone. The Fresno Housing Authority is completely budget based.

Homeownership programs, such as the HUD Homeownership Education and Counseling, work with people who want to become first time homebuyers. Many banks require counseling classes for their qualification of services. Also, the foreclosure intervention and crisis counseling is the largest component of homeownership education. People attending classes prior to buying a home have less foreclosure rates. Counseling has proven that buyers understand risks in purchasing a home and understand the loan terms they are signing. Currently, 50 percent of mortgages in Fresno County are upside down.

The Fresno Housing Authority works along with the California, Fresno and San Joaquin Down Payment Assistance Programs to help with the cost of providing down payment assistance and with closing your loan.

The Fresno Housing Authority purchased homes through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The funds are used to purchase foreclosed properties, rehab them and then sell them online at the Fresno Housing Authority website.

In regards to modernizing older historic homes, the Fresno Housing Authority has purchased two homes built in 1910-1920 in Partnership with Fresno City College Construction Employment Training Program. This pre-apprenticeship program gives students hands-on training and instruction on how to reconstruct and repair homes, and specifically train to become an electrician. Other older home rehabs include L and Divisidero Streets where the Fresno Housing Authority is the owner of a number of historic homes as well as partnered with the City of Fresno's Preservation Department to rehab historic homes.

The newly improved Construction Employment Program has qualified over 30 contractors to bid on work and half of the applicants were minority owned firms. Small firms and minority contractors have an equal opportunity and are capable to perform the work. Implementing the Economic Opportunity plan, Prince said that, "The Fresno Housing Authority is looking at future work being generated by activity. This includes construction, landscaping, maintenance and other professional services. This helps insure that they are preserving local employment, local job growth and how they impact the community."

The National Opportunity of African American's in Housing (NOAH) Partnership, along with Sherwin Williams, is teaching the community how to paint and ultimately begin their own painting company. Painting contractors are also brought in to meet and assist class members who are seeking employment. Once the program is completed this program also teaches residents how to become a painting contractor. Materials and supplies are donated by Sherwin-Williams. "This type of partnership creates resident owned companies that are ready to do business with the Fresno Housing Authority," Prince said.

There are no preferences given on funding sources but the Fresno Housing Authority wants to overcome the largest barriers in doing business with them by assisting in obtaining bonds for minority contractors. The Fresno Housing Authority is also considering developing their own bonding sources in the near future.

As a public entity, all contracts are open to public bid. "The Fresno Housing Authority believes in local hiring but has not been as successful with local contractors as they would like," according to Prince. Because of this, a partnership was formed with local unions to develop an apprenticeship training program at the local level to target applicants that don't have all the necessary skills to perform the job.

New home developments include 600 units in the past four years. Most prominent is the development across from the Veterans Administration, a 215 unit, 100 percent occupied development called Parc Grove Commons. This development is affordable housing. 100 of the units are targeted to very low-income households, with three to four bedroom units and an after school program for the kids with a computer club. There were over 4,000 applicants applying for 215 units. Other housing developments are located in Kerman and 56 units are located in Southeast Fresno, where 40 percent of the units are available to very low income and the rest affordable rate with a mixed use concept (residential and commercial). The HOPE VI Development at California and Fruit Avenues are renovated homes and new apartment construction for rent. There is also a 53 unit subdivision at California and West Avenues that are available to be purchased by first time homebuyers.

Prince stated that, "...Budget cuts are harmful to what is happening in the community. When federal expenditures are being reduced, housing is always the first to be hit. There are other ways to balance the budget."

Prince noted that he has just unveiled his "Inaugural Permanent Supportive Housing" development called Renaissance at Trinity and that the Alta Monte and Santa Clara development phase will soon follow. These developments represent a "Renaissance of people's lives," said Prince. The housing will accommodate chronically homeless individuals and families, many with severe mental and health disabilities and also alcohol and substance abuse issues. "Giving them a second chance and using a building at Trinity that's been vacant for over 15 years is investing back in the neighborhood," Prince said. Alta Monte, a vacant and old hotel at Blackstone and Illinois Avenues is going to encompass working directly with the homeless, getting them off the streets, into housing and giving them access to an array of social services.

Future projects include: A Senior Housing Project with King of Kings, Downtown Workforce Housing Development, the next phase of Parc Grove Commons, and within Fresno County, a Partnership with Firebaugh Gateway mixed use development (retail and housing) and a Partnership with the City of Clovis underused or empty commercial spaces along Shaw Avenue and bring housing back to a very important corridor of the City of Clovis.

The Fresno Housing Authority is in full conversation with local and state entities about the importance of linking housing with the high speed rail. There would be a full spectrum of housing from market rate to low income. Prince said that, "The High Speed Rail is not just about transportation and must be looked at as a total community development."

The Fresno Housing Authority has several community-based events throughout the year, including the Thanksgiving Baskets Giveaway, the Annual Holiday Lunch and Toys for Tots giveaway with Santa.

Prince feels the Fresno Housing Authority has a "...Responsibility to take the wealth that's being created as a result of our investment in the community and make sure everyone gets to benefit from it, not just certain businesses."

Prince concluded that the Fresno Housing Authority's most important task is changing the outcome measurements. He reiterated that the goal of the Fresno Housing Authority is to have 100 percent utilization and occupancy as well as ensuring kids are academically achieving, parents are having wage progression and seniors are having a good quality of life.