In 1983, John Mellencamp released the now-classic “Little Pink Houses,” a song inspired by his upbringing in Seymour, Indiana—a small town of just 22,500 residents. The song, while catchy, is a satirical take on the American dream, using pink houses as symbols of both hope and the challenges many families face. For those in public service, Mellencamp’s lyrics serve as a call to action: to help hardworking Central Valley families achieve the goal of affordable homeownership.

According to Tim Sheehan’s report from February 10, 2025, Fresno must build 37,000 new homes by 2031 to meet its growing population’s needs, with the greatest demand among lower-income families. This challenge requires collective effort, and I am dedicated to my role—collecting housing-related fees accurately and in line with the law’s intent for the benefit of county residents.

To address this issue, the California Legislature introduced Senate Bill 2 in 2017, which set up a $75 fee for each real estate instrument, paper, or notice needed or allowed to be recorded. This fee provides a stable, ongoing source of funding for affordable housing initiatives. By implementing this law and collecting the correct amount of fees, my office makes it possible for Fresno County to receive the resources necessary to meet its affordable housing needs.

The Fresno County Council of Governments leads the Regional Need Housing Allocation Plan (RHNA), and the California Housing and Community Development Department projects a need for approximately 58,298 housing units in Fresno County by 2031. Securing sufficient funding is critical to achieving this target. As Assessor-Recorder, I consider the careful collection of these fees essential for meeting our local housing needs.

Once collected, these fees are transferred to the State Controller, who deposits them into the Building Homes and Jobs Trust Fund, managed by the California Housing and Community Development Department. This trust supports key programs—including the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program, the Mixed Income Multifamily Rental Program, the Production Incentive Program, and the Farmworker Housing Program—that are crucial to the ongoing development of affordable homes in Fresno County.

My commitment is to support diligent collection of these state-mandated fees, which help expand affordable housing across both urban and rural Central Valley communities. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the American promise of opportunity is accessible to all, and affordable housing is vital to that promise. I call on my peers throughout California to ensure proper collection of these fees so more families have the chance to find homes. Together, we can foster affordable housing in every community we serve.

To quote John Mellencamp’s satirical anthem: “…Ain’t that America, for you and me…”—words that remind us of all to work toward a country where quality housing and a better life are within reach for everyone.

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Paul Dictos is a Certified Public Accountant and is Fresno County Assessor-Recorder