Homeless people in American cities lead precarious lives when it comes to finding safe shelter, obtaining enough food and surviving in a harsh street environment. Their plight has been rendered more difficult by Fresno’s anti-camping ordinance, enacted in 2024. One of California’s toughest camping laws, this ordinance prohibits sitting, lying or sleeping on public property — including streets, sidewalks and parks, and along highways and canals.
As a retired researcher in public health and social science, I wanted to understand the homeless situation in Fresno. So, between May 15 and December 14, 2025, I interviewed 743 unsheltered people in Fresno about their challenges in obtaining adequate and safe food and water.
I share my results to give Fresno residents some insights into the daily struggle for survival of their homeless neighbors…