So, Mr. Duncan would like to see the homeless issue resolved in 10 years? AND, better yet let's put together another TASK FORCE - these have always worked in the past - NOT! When other issues such as good paying jobs (that is jobs that pay more than minimum wage) are made available in the valley (other than agricultural related jobs); when adequate healthcare is made available for those suffering with mental and emotional health issues; when citizens of this community quit turning their heads the other way and pretend the homelessness doesn't exist; and, more importantly the homeless are treated with respect, only then will Fresno be on its way to a solution. Moving the homeless out of downtown is not the solution for economic development; the issue will remain just that - an issue we, as a city, must deal with in a positive way. Have any of the councilmembers visited the homeless, not at the Poverello House, not at the Fresno Rescue Mission but on their 'turf'? Don't send one of the 'office staff' out to do the job and write a report - but to actually visit with the homeless with a sincere interest in what has happened to bring them to this point in their lives. Homelessness is the end result of many social ills - domestic abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, unresolved mental and emotional health issues due to the lack of health insurance, or just down on their luck - and when these social ills are addressed with a true commitment only then will we see an impact on the homelessness issue.

Some clarifications are in order. One of our biggest problems in dealing with this issue in Fresno is the lack of a community strategy. The County goes one way, the City another and the non-profit groups have their way as well. There is nothing that is comprehensive, actionable or coordinated.
In other metropolitan areas that have done a good job of managing this problem, they do so with a clear community strategy that they all work together on and work together implementing.
What we need to do as a community is to develop this community strategy. The term “10 year Plan to End Homelessness” is just the title the Federal Government gives to these community strategies. By developing a community strategy, we will not only do a much better job as a whole dealing with this issue, but we will now have access to millions of dollars of state and federal grants that will never come here unless we do this.
No one will dispute Fresno has a homeless problem. For years it has been ignored and shoved to a part of town where few cared except for the few dedicated people who are working so hard to help these people.
But the reality is homelessness will never truly be ended but it can be managed so that people who want help can get the services they need to become productive citizens and those who don’t want help will not be a hindrance to the development and betterment of the rest of our City. This will especially be helpful to a part of our downtown that is seething with blight and has the opportunity to return as a vibrant part of our rebirth of downtown.

Right on Jerry!You will not end it(some choose it as a lifesyle)but you can manage it.By controlling it you're not putting these folks on an island but can channel the impact both on their recovery and that of the city and county.Let the non profits develop the plan and the city/county minimally help fund it. Those that don't want help(we used to call them hobos or bums) should be sent packing to mooch off the next town.

"Those that don't want help(we used to call them hobos or bums) should be sent packing to mooch off the next town."

Good idea. Let's send them up to Shaver Lake.

Having worked for Councilman Duncan for the past 6 1/2 years, I would like to set the record straight on his genuine concern for the homeless. Because it is not in his nature to boast of what he has done to help, I would like to mention a partial list here:

Before Jerry was ever a candidate for public office, he personally paid for food which his friend, Mr. Rib, prepared bar-b-que style on the street corners for the homeless at Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas for two years. Mr. Rib cooked and Jerry served.

Last winter during the freeze Jerry went on a ride-along with the Parks Department crew to pick up homeless people to take them to warming shelters on one of the coldest nights of the year. In anticipation of the ride-along, he spent hundreds of dollars of his own money to buy blankets to give to the people who chose to stay on the streets.

Jerry was also the one who took a leadership role in providing portable restrooms for the homeless.

Jerry has not "turned his head" when it comes to his concern for the homeless...neither personally or professionally.

Seems no one is interested in personal responsibility. All they are interested in is throwing money at a problem and hoping it will go away. Making a make-shift shelter will only encourage the homeless to stay homeless and encourage others to be homeless. YOU ARE ONLY CREATING A NEW LIFESTYLE CHOICE FOR IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE!

Personally Joe I don't think the city/county should spend any money on it but if they do it should be indirectly by way of the already existing non-profits and faith based organizations.Some folks need help and these groups do a good job.Government does not.Personal responsibility is a wonderful thing but how many of your neighbors or relatives are prepared for a disaster.Better have a few extra cans of pork and beans around for them.Mike D.-How about we call them Outdoorsmen.I help the homeless and have for many years in different cities.If they want to come up to Shaver Lake I'll help the ones who want help.You know my name and where I live so why don't you come on up too.I've got plenty of pork and beans.