The 60-unit first phase of the Avalon Commons affordable housing development opened this week in northeast Fresno. Photo via Mayor Jerry Dyer Facebook page

The first phase of Avalon Commons, a 60-unit “transformative affordable housing development,” celebrated its grand opening in northeast Fresno on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting. 

The project is expected to eventually feature a total of 105 units through a second phase.

Building more affordable housing units in Fresno has long been a goal of Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Fresno Housing, the developer of Avalon Commons.

Dyer’s One Fresno Housing Strategy aims to construct nearly 4,700 new affordable homes by 2025. However, state data finds Fresno had just 336 new affordable homes built in 2022 and 2023, according to Fresnoland.

Avalon Commons is the first affordable housing development in District 6, which runs from just north of Copper Avenue down to Bullard Avenue. 

On social media, Dyer shared the importance of building affordable housing. 

“Avalon Commons is more than just a housing development — it’s a reflection of what happens when we invest in people, families, and the future of our city,” Dyer said. 

“It’s a gorgeous development, and I’m grateful that our partnership with Fresno Housing has resulted in projects like this,” he added. 

Avalon Commons features a community building, dog park, playground and basketball court. 

According to city documents, the total development cost for Avalon Commons was more than $72 million. Ground was broken last summer.

Dyer was joined by Tyrone Roderick Williams, CEO of Fresno Housing; Joaquin Arambula, California Assemblymember for District 31; Nathan Magsig, Chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 5; Susan Holt, Director of the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health, Justin Gibson, Merchant Services Consultant and Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo and Sharon Williams, Vice Chair of the Fresno Housing City Board of Commissioners.

Magsig told Fresnoland that Fresno County currently spends $5.3 million annually on supportive housing. He also noted that over the next 24 months, the county’s annual support for supportive housing is expected to increase to nearly $7 million.