Special Initiatives

Special Initiatives

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

OUR GOAL IS INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

A Letter From Our CEO – As a black man who has lived experience with multiple dimensions of diversity throughout my lifetime, including not learning about my dyslexia diagnosis until college, I am absolutely committed to our work at Fresno Housing to strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).  I have turned numerous stumbling blocks into stepping stones.  I have been, and always will be, committed to opening doors of opportunity for others, because others have opened doors of opportunity for me.  As a proud graduate of Prairie View A & M University and MIT, I am proof that with the right support and resources, we all can rise to higher heights and maximize our full potential.

Belonging and inclusivity have a strong impact on those we serve, but also on employee retention, satisfaction, and engagement.  This is why the first two goals in our DEI Strategic Framework focus on our colleagues and culture.  By prioritizing the initial focus on the climate in our workplace, Fresno Housing recognizes that change will begin at home, and radiate out through the actions of our employees to positively impact our customers and partners.

With a goal of inclusive excellence, Fresno Housing strives to be an Agency where all employees, residents, and stakeholders recognize our organization as a great place to work, live, and thrive. We aim to be an Agency where a sense of inclusion and belonging has been realized for those who have historically been marginalized or underrepresented. We will continue being intentional and ensuring that efforts to be inclusive and develop a sense of belonging are embedded in all aspects of our work, and should sustain all elements of diversity that make each of us unique. While we are each informed by our own lived experiences through differences in ethnicity, political philosophy, spiritual beliefs and relation, socio-economic status, gender, culture, veteran status, sexual orientation, ethnicity and so many other dimensions, we are aligned in our appreciation for what makes us unique and our dedication to empowering the residents we serve.

Fresno Housing remains committed to prioritizing our DEI work, and will continue to uphold the belief that our differences, backgrounds, and talents enrich Fresno Housing and the larger city and county community.

Sincerely,

Tyrone Roderick Williams


DEI Vision Statement – Fresno Housing will demonstrate how diversity, equity, and inclusion can transform a community.

DEI Mission Statement – Our mission is to influence the power of diversity through an increase in representation throughout multiple dimensions of diversity across the organization, specifically at the leadership level, and to highlight the importance of Fresno Housing’s culture of inclusion and belonging in accordance to the Agency’s behavioral standards and practices. As a public facing organization, we will use our knowledge, skills, awareness and an appreciation of diversity, equity, and inclusion to increase the Agency’s impact on creating and supporting vibrant communities throughout Fresno County.

DEI Strategic Framework – Additional information on our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts can be found by viewing the DEI Strategic Framework.

The California Avenue Neighborhood (CAN) Initiative is a comprehensive neighborhood transformation planning effort to reinvest in the people, housing and neighborhoods of southwest Fresno. The goal is to positively impact the quality of life, housing, and community within the California Avenue Neighborhood and see excellent schools, jobs, quality housing, engaged neighbors, clean parks and sidewalks, and more. These are all a part of having a vibrant community.

CAN seeks to partner with the community to learn the needs of the neighborhood, create a vision, gather innovative ideas and thoughts as we – together – work to reimagine and reinvest in the future of southwest Fresno’s California Avenue.

For more information, visit WestFresnoCAN.org.

Get Connected Fresno

Get Connected Fresno is part of the ConnectHome White House initiative aimed to bridge the digital divide to all Americans by offering affordable broadband access, digital literacy training, and electronic devices to Fresno Housing residents.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) selected Fresno Housing to participate in the President’s ConnectHome Initiative, the next step in the administration’s effort to bridge the digital divide for all Americans. Fresno is one of the first 27 communities to be selected. These efforts will support the goal of enhancing resident engagement and broadening their access to services throughout the community.

Fresno Housing and the City of Fresno are working collaboratively with government, industry, and nonprofit organizations to accelerate broadband adoption and use for Fresno Housing families.  The focus is to give these families opportunities for them to benefit from current and future technology advances, such as bringing them broadband internet connectivity.

In addition to providing the infrastructure and access, Fresno Housing is coordinating with California State University, Fresno’s Office of Community and Economic Development to establish digital literacy programs within identified communities.  These efforts will support the goal of enhancing resident engagement and broadening their access to services throughout the community.

The ConnectHome initiative contributes to the mission of Fresno Housing, to create and sustain vibrant communities throughout Fresno County.

For more information about the ConnectHome Initiative, please visit: connecthome.hud.gov

To become a sponsor, contact [email protected]

Fresno Housing, in partnership with Bitwise, are offering a scholarship program to Geekwise Academy. The Geekwise Academy will give Fresno Housing residents the skills that are presently in demand in the technology industry. Please email [email protected] to apply for the Geekwise Academy Scholarship.

Playbooks

Summer Tech Camp Playbook

Mesh Network Playbook

 

Get Connected Fresno

Get Connected Fresno is part of the ConnectHome White House initiative aimed to bridge the digital divide to all Americans by offering affordable broadband access, digital literacy training, and electronic devices to Fresno Housing residents.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) selected Fresno Housing to participate in the President’s ConnectHome Initiative, the next step in the administration’s effort to bridge the digital divide for all Americans. Fresno is one of the first 27 communities to be selected. These efforts will support the goal of enhancing resident engagement and broadening their access to services throughout the community.

Fresno Housing and the City of Fresno are working collaboratively with government, industry, and nonprofit organizations to accelerate broadband adoption and use for Fresno Housing families.  The focus is to give these families opportunities for them to benefit from current and future technology advances, such as bringing them broadband internet connectivity.

In addition to providing the infrastructure and access, Fresno Housing is coordinating with California State University, Fresno’s Office of Community and Economic Development to establish digital literacy programs within identified communities.  These efforts will support the goal of enhancing resident engagement and broadening their access to services throughout the community.

The ConnectHome initiative contributes to the mission of Fresno Housing, to create and sustain vibrant communities throughout Fresno County.

For more information about the ConnectHome Initiative, please visit: connecthome.hud.gov

To become a sponsor, contact [email protected]

Fresno Housing, in partnership with Bitwise, are offering a scholarship program to Geekwise Academy. The Geekwise Academy will give Fresno Housing residents the skills that are presently in demand in the technology industry. Please email [email protected] to apply for the Geekwise Academy Scholarship.

Playbooks

Summer Tech Camp Playbook

Mesh Network Playbook

 

Homeless Initiative

Fresno Housing partners with other organizations and agencies to provide supportive housing, resources and other assistance to help reduce homelessness in Fresno County. As a member of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, a group of stakeholders dedicated to providing housing and services to those on the streets, we work with other organizations to provide affordable housing, resources, and support to Veterans, individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Our efforts are part of a broader community campaign with the City and County of Fresno to reduce homelessness, which decreased by nearly 60 percent in Fresno County between 2011 and 2017.

Fresno Housing is the Lead Agency in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) where data on both the individual and community resides. Additionally, Fresno Housing assists the Fresno and Madera communities to apply to HUD for funding in which to provide housing and services for persons/families experiencing homelessness.

Fresno Housing is a partner in the Street2Home collective impact initiative to comprehensively address homelessness across Fresno County. The recommendations in the Street2Home Framework to Action outlines the structure and tactics for the entire Fresno community — leaders, service providers, funders, and residents — to be a part of the solution. Learn more at https://www.street2homefresno.org.

If you or your family are experiencing homelessness, please visit MAP Point

Homeless Initiative

Fresno Housing partners with other organizations and agencies to provide supportive housing, resources and other assistance to help reduce homelessness in Fresno County. As a member of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, a group of stakeholders dedicated to providing housing and services to those on the streets, we work with other organizations to provide affordable housing, resources, and support to Veterans, individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Our efforts are part of a broader community campaign with the City and County of Fresno to reduce homelessness, which decreased by nearly 60 percent in Fresno County between 2011 and 2017.

Fresno Housing is the Lead Agency in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) where data on both the individual and community resides. Additionally, Fresno Housing assists the Fresno and Madera communities to apply to HUD for funding in which to provide housing and services for persons/families experiencing homelessness.

Fresno Housing is a partner in the Street2Home collective impact initiative to comprehensively address homelessness across Fresno County. The recommendations in the Street2Home Framework to Action outlines the structure and tactics for the entire Fresno community — leaders, service providers, funders, and residents — to be a part of the solution. Learn more at https://www.street2homefresno.org.

If you or your family are experiencing homelessness, please visit MAP Point

Fresno Housing Authority