Hanford Insider

Hanford Insider: The Fight Against Homelessness

• Rob Bentley • Season 3 • Episode 7

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The Kings County Homelessness Collaborative represents a remarkable coalition of 18 organizations working together to tackle one of our community's most persistent challenges. In this eye-opening conversation, Hanford City Councilman Mark Kairis and KCAO Executive Director Jeff Garner reveal how their coordinated efforts have already reduced the county's homeless population from 417 to 302 individuals.

Mark explains the practical challenges of implementing Hanford's no-camping ordinance while balancing compassion with community needs. The dedicated Housing Assistance Response Team (HART) works daily to connect homeless individuals with resources while addressing business owners' concerns about downtown impacts. Jeff details the impressive array of current services available, including the 38-bed Barbara-Saville Shelter, 22-unit Sunrise Apartments for rapid rehousing, transitional housing partnerships, and rental assistance programs designed to prevent homelessness before it begins.

The most exciting development discussed is the ambitious 11-acre campus planned for 10th Avenue and Hanford-Armona Road. This transformative project will feature a 200-bed low-barrier emergency shelter, 40,000-square-foot food bank, and centralized kitchen serving multiple community needs. What started as a simple search for a new food bank location evolved into a comprehensive vision for addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and community support services under one roof. With $7.7 million already secured from diverse funding sources including federal appropriations, state grants, city contributions, and private donations, this project demonstrates the power of cross-sector collaboration.

The conversation highlights a crucial truth about addressing homelessness: when we help our most vulnerable residents, the entire community benefits. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the shelter opening in 2027. Want to be part of this community-changing effort? Contact the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative to learn how you can contribute to creating lasting solutions for our neighbors in need.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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Speaker 1:

On this episode of the Hanford Insider, mark Kyrus and Jeff Garner share with us how the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative is working to end homelessness in our area. Rob will review the upcoming calendar of events. Then I'll be back with your sports report. This is the Hanford Insider for Monday, september 8th.

Speaker 3:

Welcome to the Hanford Insider Podcast, your backstage pass to the stories, people and events that make Hanford such a special place to call home. Each episode, we shine a spotlight on our community, from local history and hidden gems to today's movers and shakers and hometown heroes. Whether you've lived here all your life or you're just discovering Hanford, this is where you'll find the conversations that keep you connected. I'm your host, rob Bentley. Let's dive in, because there's always more to discover right here in Hanford. The Hanford City Council won't have another meeting until September 16th, but you should mark your calendars now for the next Council Corner at Hanford Fire Station no 3 on Thursday, september 18th, with Mark Kyrus and Chris Tavares. It was great to see so many people taking advantage of the fishing derby at Hidden Valley Park last Saturday. It was a great event. Many thanks to the Department of Parks and Community Services for putting on this special event. Now let's take a look at this week's community calendar. Now let's take a look at this week's community calendar. On Monday, september 8th, the 1776 Sons of Liberty meeting will be a community forum to discuss the East Lacey Improvement Project with Mayor Travis Payton. The meeting begins at 7 pm at the Hanford Oaks Lodge. Also, on Monday night Cub Scout Pack 432 will hold a recruitment night at the Veterans Hall. If you can't make it on Monday night you can look up Pack 432 on Facebook to contact Michael Gonzalez for more information. At the Thursday Night Marketplace this week it's Volunteer Appreciation Night with country music by Houston Avenue. The Carnegie Museum of Kings County's History of Agriculture in Kings County, part 2, opens this weekend. They'll be open Fridays, saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm through December 14th. Kings County Special Olympics will be hosting a walking club inside the Hanford Mall beginning Sunday, september 14th from noon until 1 pm.

Speaker 3:

September 19th is the date for the annual Commission on Aging Picnic in the Park at Burris Park. This year there will also be a classic car show. Visit kccoaorg for details. On Friday September 19th, the Sierra Pacific cheerleaders will be having a camp at their school from 6 pm to 9 pm. Participants will get to perform at the Golden Bear football game.

Speaker 3:

The following week, on September 24th, king's Community Action will be hosting an Environmental Justice Community Workshop from 6 pm to 8 pm at their offices at 1130 North 11th Avenue. The workshop will provide children and adults a general overview of the city project focused on environmental justice and equity and will include a brief presentation and interactive activities as part of the preparation for the city's environmental justice element. The Kings County Resource Fair is on Thursday, september 25th, in the Civic Auditorium from 5 pm to 7 pm. There'll be lots of resources about locational training, mental health and behavioral supports, special education, county services and community programs.

Speaker 3:

If you have an event coming up and you'd like some help getting the word out, let's work together. Send your information to hanfordinsider at gmailcom. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a complete calendar of events. It's the most comprehensive community calendar available. Well, we all know that homelessness continues to be an issue in California, kings County and Hanford in particular, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to talk with Jeff Garner, who is the Executive Director of the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative and Hanford City Councilman Mark Kyrus who is a member of the collaborative.

Speaker 2:

So welcome to the show guys. Thank you, rob, for having us.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, rob appreciate the opportunity and the time with you. You know, as I said in the opening, homelessness continues to be an issue and there's no easy answer, that's for sure, and I'd like to hear a little bit about the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative and how they're working to solve some of our current challenges.

Speaker 4:

Yeah. So, first off, thanks again, rob, for having us and giving us the platform to talk about really this challenge that impacts all of us here in Kings County and that's our homeless population and what we can do about it to find better days ahead. So, really, starting with the Kings County Homeless Collaborative the collaborative was formed in 2019, and it was made up of various entities public, private here in Kings County. It really was a call from the Kings County Board of Supervisors to bring the stakeholders together to do something impactful to address our homeless challenges, and so myself, representing Kings Community Action Organization, we have a seat at the table as well as the cities have a representative. Mark serves as the city representative for all of Kings County, so that includes Hanford, avenal, lemoore and Corcoran, so it makes up there's, I think, 17, 18 different members on the collaborative. Everyone has a different perspective which is great and different ideas on what the challenges are and what we can do about it, and so since that time, a lot has happened on the collaborative.

Speaker 4:

We do meet monthly. It's a public meeting. We've had public comments. We encourage the public to come out, learn about the homeless challenges. We get various reports from local experts on what is the current trends and what's happening. So a lot has come out of it. It's forced us to the table in a good way to brainstorm, leverage resources. So there's been a lot of good things and so we're really proud to be part of that and to have people like Mark and others who are there really trying to say what can we do to make things better. So it's been a good effort since we started.

Speaker 3:

So, mark, as a city councilman, I know you've heard plenty of comments from your constituents about the homelessness problem in the Hanford area downtown shopping centers. Can you tell us how the no camping ordinance is working and some of the efforts that the council has been making?

Speaker 2:

and some of the efforts that the council has been making. Well, of course, if we go back a couple of years ago, we talk about the grants passed and the Boise decisions that were impactful on communities, you know. And then the governor's executive order came out and basically established, you know, the no campaign ordinances and the executive order to direct cities to follow suit. The city of Hanford and the council was very supportive of that. So, with the help of our city attorney and other organizations, we did draft a no camping ordinance for within the city and put some restrictions on where that homeless population can be. And so it is a challenge. No doubt we are fully aware of the impacts that are affecting the downtown and their businesses. Like I would say, if not weekly, I'm getting a call or an email or a text message from business owner expressing concerns. You know we share those concerns with the Hanford Police Department. Of course. You know we have the Housing Assistance Respond Team or the HART team that is made up of, I believe right now we're at two, possibly a third officer that's handling the homelessness issues in the city. They are proactive, they are engaging on a daily basis, you know, trying to keep that especially the downtown area free Again, though. But as you make those moves right, they have a tendency to relocate, resettle in other parts of the city.

Speaker 2:

So when we talk about the homeless, I know when I originally, you know, joined the collaborative two and a half years ago, the point in time count was about 417 people for Kings Alley. This year we've seen a decrease the last couple of years. This year that number is down to 302. Now that number is impactful for us as an organization to kind of see what the current trends are and what's happening. But then, you know, that's also a good test for us to show the great work that KCAO is doing in providing, you know, temporary supportive housing for individuals. As you know, we talk about you'll hear about the Sunrise Center, triangle Courtyard, things like that, the Farber-Seville Center. They are doing so many things for the community to assist with getting those people into some sort of progressive housing position to help clear that up. So you know, as we have this gun beginning to lower area shelter and the things that are on the plan for the future, I think we're going to see a drastic impact to the community.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, we'll get to the low barrier shelter in just a minute, mark. I wanted to ask you what are the types of questions that you are getting from your constituents, the concerns and maybe some truths amongst all this falsehood that occurs online. What are some truths about how we can handle someone who's on the property? I know there's a lot of hoops to jump through, but just in general, can you describe for us a scenario and how it's handled?

Speaker 2:

Well, I think you know I mean, that's a great question, robin, and I know it's multi-bathed, for when we're talking about the downtown and businesses, you know, I encourage those business owners and property owners to contact the police department, you know, let them know that there's an issue that's occurring. They can get an officer out there to help, you know, rectify that situation. One of the challenges that we have in our community is we have, you know, vacant properties. Right, the owner may be from Hanford or they may not be, but they own vacant property here in town. They may, the owner may be from Hanford or they may not be, but they own vacant property here in town. And that has kind of pushed some of those people onto those properties, which then becomes a challenge for the neighborhood that it is in. So you know, again, when it comes to private property, we want to work with the property owner and let them be aware of what's going on. You know, if they're allowing that that's, you know, that's something that we can't control. That's their property. But if they're on the property and they're unaware that they're there and they want them removed, we work with those different property owners to. You know, it makes it a challenge.

Speaker 2:

So, first and foremost, I encourage anyone that's having an issue with the homelessness or on transient occupation, you know, or occupants that are in or around their businesses, contact the police department. You know our chief, chief Huddleston, has, you know, been very supportive of the council and the directions that we're moving forward and working with her and she understands the importance that it has on the community. But it is a challenge. It is an ongoing challenge and that's why, you know, we as a council have tried to partner with KCIO to move forward and to address those issues and then to be actively on the collaborative myself for the last two years and serving as the chair the last two years. It's been good to have that seat at the table right and be able to have that voice and have those conversations and there are some great people out there that are trying to make an impact in a positive way for the community. But again, if there's an issue, please let us know.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, thank you for that, mark Jeff. This is probably a good question for you. There are services offered for homeless people in Kings County. These are people that need help and they're able to seek and receive help if they need it correct. I know there's shelters out on East Lacey. There's programs on East Lacey, there's the North Star Courts, the Episcopal Church of the Savior Soup Kitchen. What type of services are currently being offered and how can they access them?

Speaker 4:

So right now we are seeing, you know, I would say more services that are being out to the homeless population and informs them about the various services that are available to them and how they would go about accessing them. So, like for us at KCAO, we operate the Barber Civil Shelter, which is a 38-bed shelter primarily designated for domestic violence victims, but if there are beds available, we do open it up for women and children who are experiencing homelessness, and we've done, I think, a really good job making those beds available and getting the word out on how individuals can access that shelter. We also, as you mentioned, we opened up the Sunrise Apartments, which is a 22-unit apartment there on East Lacey that is helping individuals who were experiencing homelessness to get them into what we call rapid rehousing, so it gets them off the street and into an apartment unit. We also are working with Kings County Behavioral Health doing transitional housing. They're on East Lacey as well, and so there's a lot of different things that I know we have taken on here at KCAO. We just launched a rental assistance program as well and housing assistance.

Speaker 4:

So for those individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are in danger of being homeless, we can jump in and provide the resources that would either get them off the street or prevent them from sliding into homelessness.

Speaker 4:

And there's a lot of other wonderful agencies in the county that are doing a lot of good things, to champions, the soup kitchen so there are a lot that we were just recognizing, all of us, that there's a huge need in our community.

Speaker 4:

So we got to do something, we got to devote whatever resources we do have to focus on helping these individuals, which, when we see it, you know, when we're helping homeless individuals, you know that's that's a help for the whole community. Just as Mark alluded to about property owners, business owners, residents, we know that when we can intervene and provide assistance to the homeless population, it's a win for everyone, and so that is something that we really have focused on the last couple of years is understanding that this is a call from the entire community, and so you know we're playing our part and what we're good at, and that is providing good quality, effective services, and that's what we've been doing the last well, 60 years for us as an agency. But in terms of the homeless population, we really have ratcheted up our efforts over the last three or four years.

Speaker 3:

And one of the big projects that you're working on, of course, is the low barrier shelter, and that is tentatively planned for 10th and Hanford-Armona Road.

Speaker 4:

yes, yes, that is correct. Yeah, that's our largest project we've ever taken on here at KCIO, and so that project is definitely a game changer when it comes to addressing our homeless challenges, as well as other services and needs of our community. So that idea was born out of first. It really started with the need for us to find a new food bank location we do provide the only food bank here in Kings County and so it really started with the idea like well, we got to find a new property for a food bank. We got to build a large food bank based on the space we have. Now we're really busting out of the scene. We're leasing space with the city of Limor. They've been a great partner of ours since 2010 on the food bank. So it really started with well, we got to find a new home for a food bank. And then, as the calls and the data kept growing louder and louder about what are we going to do with the homeless population and the challenges that we face, specifically not having a low barrier emergency shelter, those two kind of worlds collided and I say collided probably in a good way where we said, okay, well, instead of just focusing on a food bank, let's also focus at the same time building a campus that includes not only a food bank but a low barrier shelter kitchen to support our preschool programs as well as the shelter operation. So we started with the idea of a food bank and it grew into a low barrier shelter for 200 individuals, a centralized kitchen that would serve not only the homeless population but a lot of individuals that would be in need of food assistance, and then a 40,000 square foot food bank, and so it turned into this campus of synergy where we understand that all of those pieces are going to be there to support each other, and that's what we really love about it.

Speaker 4:

The site that we did purchase in 2023 is the corner of 10th Avenue and Hanford Armona Road. It's about 11 acres Avenue. In Hanford-Armona Road it's about 11 acres, and so definitely big enough space for us to develop that into those three phases of the project as well. As you know, future development, where we can have office buildings and other services, join that campus at a later date. So we're excited about it. I mean, it really is something that we feel will have a lasting impact. We do expect to break ground early 2026. Construction would go on through the rest of that year, and then in early 2027, phase one of the project would be completed, and that is the 200-bed emergency shelter, and then from there, a year or two later, we'll move to the centralized kitchen.

Speaker 3:

So what's the source for the funding for this? I understand you have had some donors, but you've gotten grants and such. Can you share a little bit about that?

Speaker 4:

Yeah, definitely, we have brought in $7.7 million. We need about $8 million to complete phase one and so as part of that was also purchasing the property. So that has been taken care of. But we really have had tremendous support from the community and we've learned is sometimes you just got to ask and people will come forward with their generosity and it really has turned into a nonpartisan project as well. We've had support come in at the federal level from Congressman David DeLaDeo. He helped secure $2 million of funding for the project. State Senator Melissa Hurtado she helped secure a million dollars for funding for the project. State Senator Melissa Hurtado she helped secure a million dollars for funding for phase one.

Speaker 4:

We received grants, we received donations a significant donation from a local farmer, up to a million dollars and so we really have been very fortunate that people have rallied around this project and the city of Amherst. They've been wonderful partners. They've contributed. They pledged up to a million dollars. So far they've contributed 600,000. And it's just a matter of us completing the necessary paperwork and the applications and we hope to get the rest of the funding in the near future. So it's been great. It's been great to have that we are going to be launching a capital campaign where we're going to invite residents to be part of the building, so meaning they can contribute a dollar. They contribute a million dollars, but we want people to feel like they have an opportunity to support this project as well, knowing that it's going to have a major benefit for us as a community. Knowing that it's going to have a major benefit for us as a community.

Speaker 2:

You know, robin, that's what kind of made things really simple for us to partner with KCAL. When you look at the problems, we talk about food insecurities, we talk about affordable housing. You know this is an organization that deals with this on a daily basis and so it was an easy decision for us and the council to say, hey, we're here with you, we're here to support you, we're excited to see where it goes, you know. And then you know, of course, with us. You know we talked for a lot about measure H. You talk about, you know, the, the funding and things that kind of go, and when we did the survey regarding measure H, you know that was one of the concerns that the community was supportive behind was was helping with the homelessness and stuff in the community. So as we move forward and that stuff becomes available, we want to partner and stay a partner with KCIO, move forward and provide some opportunities that are right now are not available.

Speaker 4:

And then Rob I want to make sure I don't leave anyone off but the county. They've also been a big supporter of ours as well and they've made significant contributions on the front end as well. So it really by having this money up front, the seed money, it gave us confidence, even though we're not at that. You know, we got to break ground, we got to build, because what we're learning in the construction world, these take time, and so we just can't wait and then expect to say, okay, well, the next day everything's going to be up and running. I mean, this has really been a two-year project already, from buying the property, going through the permit process, working with our architect, the design base, so it is. There's a lot that goes into it. So to have that early support was a game changer for us, and so we really do appreciate everyone who has jumped in, and we expect more folks are going to want to be part of it.

Speaker 3:

Definitely. It sounds like a collaboration for sure with all these different agencies. Once again, it's the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative Jeff Garner, executive Director. Mark Kyrus is a member, along with many other people. I'm looking here on your website and you've got quite a crew. How many people do you have on your board?

Speaker 4:

18, pretty big number. Great to have that representation, I mean from law enforcement. We have private citizens, we have business owners, we have the county office of ed, so really everyone. As we know, this challenge touches all of us and so it's been great to have that level of involvement. And the meetings are consistent. People show up, they come with ideas, we work out challenges and it's been, it's been great, it's been.

Speaker 2:

so I'm, I'm, uh, definitely applaud the county board of supervisors for starting that and really saying you guys got to get together and help help address these challenges and the whole purpose rob behind that was you know you bring in all these partnerships, all these stakeholders who are getting funding from different you know areas and to be able to sit down in a room and talk about the different funding sources and who has what and what's available. And you know that's critical when it comes to moving projects like this forward knowing where that can, you know where that funding is coming from.

Speaker 3:

Moving projects like this forward knowing where that can you know where that funding is coming from. So the website I will link it on the show notes, but you can Google it, Just put it right in your search engine. There it's the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative and I will provide the show, links to the website as well as contact information for Jeff and Mark. I'd like to thank you guys for joining us today and kind of just breaking the surface, as it were, in regards to homelessness issues here in Kings County, and I'd just like to thank you for your work, and I know there's a lot of hardworking people doing this. So thank you so much for joining us.

Speaker 2:

Rob. Thank you for having me. Rob, I'll have to be next to the gardener here. We have a great relationship and it's nice to have that as we move forward. Thank you.

Speaker 1:

And now it's time for Hanford Insider Sports with Eric Bentley. We'll start with football, where Sierra Pacific was the only team to pick up a win last week, going on the road and taking down Corcoran 27-21 last Friday At 2-1 on the year, and having won two in a row, the Golden Bears are gaining some momentum, but they've got a short week this week as they'll play host to Kalinga this Thursday at 7-15. Hanford High played in a game last week that the final score didn't really tell the story, as they fell to St Joseph's 31-6 last Friday. The Bullpup defense kept the game within reach, only allowing 17 points through three quarters. While the offense really struggled, A 19-yard rushing touchdown finally got the Bullpups on the board with nine minutes left in the game. However, a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown and a blocked punt for a touchdown really tilted the final score in the Knights' favor. Hanford High falls to 1-2, but will have a good chance to get back on track this week as a struggling El Diamante comes to town on Friday at 7. And the struggles continue for Hanford West, as the Huskies were shut out again, this time by Woodlake, to fall to 0-3. A Saturday home game with Kerman awaits this week 7-30 kickoff set for that game.

Speaker 1:

In girls volleyball, Hanford West continues to impress, taking down Golden West and Avenel last week in straight sets to improve to 6-1 on the year. After a season-opening defeat to Lemoore, the Huskies have won six in a row and will take on Tulare Western and El Diamante this week. Hanford High and Sierra Pacific both lost their matchups in straight sets last week. Sierra Pacific both lost their matchups in straight sets last week. Now out to the pool for water polo, where the only boys update we have is Sierra Pacific, as the Golden Bears went 3-2 in their five games last week, After a close 16-14 non-league loss to Edison.

Speaker 1:

On Tuesday, the Golden Bears bounced back in the Tulare Union Tournament, taking down Hanford West, Mount Whitney and Tulare Western before falling in the championship to Redwood. Larry Union tournament, taking down Hanford West, Mount Whitney and Tulare Western before falling in the championship to Redwood. Sierra Pacific will take on Lemoore this Tuesday. On the girls' water polo side, Hanford High was able to pick up a 7-5 win over Justin Garza and Hanford West took down Madera 20-18, while Sierra Pacific fell in both of their matchups last week. As always, we like to cover as many sports as we can, but we can only do so much without you. Any sport, any team, any level. If you have a score report, a story idea or a team update, please let us know at hanfordinsider at gmailcom.

Speaker 3:

I'm Eric Bentley and this has been your Hanford Insider Sports Report. Well, that's all the time we have for this week's show. I'm Eric Bentley and this has been your Hanford Insider email list. Stop by my website at hanfordinsidercom to sign up for updates. You'll also get an exclusive copy of my newsletter in your inbox each week. I also need your help getting the word out about the show by liking and sharing on social media or, like most people, just telling a friend For more information about the show. You can find this podcast on Facebook, instagram, threads X and YouTube at Hanford Insider. Thanks for listening. Have a great week.

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