Former community activist who worked toward fixing homeless problems in Fresno dies

A longtime community activist and pastor who worked to make Fresno a better place and fix the city’s homeless crisis has died.

H Spees, a former Fresno mayoral candidate who went on to become Fresno’s director of Housing and Homelessness Services, died Friday from a head injury, according to his family.

Spees, 70, sustained catastrophic head trauma after falling April 26 while in Florida.

The injury caused a cardiac episode that created irreparable anoxic injury, Spees’ daughter Corrie Sands wrote on the website Caringbridge.org.

“Each day we sat with H, it became clear that his body was gradually declining,” Sands wrote. “A generous neurologist shared the MRI with us, patiently explaining the places where his brain had incurred damage. ...

“The EEG results returned and confirmed our terrible suspicion. ... H peacefully passed surrounded in love this afternoon. His body was so ready to rest that when all support was removed, he instantly left us.”

Among the accomplishments under Spees’ guidance was Fresno adding hundreds of sheltered beds to provide emergency and temporary shelter, as well as transitional housing, to unhoused residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Past, present Fresno mayors praise Spees

Because of Spees’ close and longstanding relations to those in Fresno politics, many closely followed updates regarding his health for the past week.

Spees’ passing was felt by those currently in office and others from the past.

“We are all heartbroken,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said in a statement. “H was a central part of the launch of Project Off-ramp. He made it a success, in large part because of his tender approach with those most vulnerable.

“He approached this monumental and first of its kind project with compassion, care and love. We are so sad for his family. He was such a wonderful human being.”

Ashley Swearengin, who served as mayor from 2009-2016, also shared her thoughts of the pastor’s death and his impact on Fresno.

“H Spees was a pillar of faith and hope in our community,” Swearengin said. “He leaves a legacy of service and commitment to the community.

“H showed us all what it looks like to bring people together, bridge divides, and put love into action. The impact he made in Fresno will be felt for generations.”

Alan Autry, another former Fresno mayor who was in office 2001-2008, said Spees had an “uncanny gift” for being able to reach out to his family and friends without knowing those times often were when they needed his advice and guidance most.

“He was just one of the most decent, finest human beings I’ve ever known in my life,” Autry said. “He deeply cared about others.

“He really believed in the power that one person could have on the community. Of one person doing their thing to make the community stronger. It didn’t necessarily need to be some big, huge thing. Just something small that could better our community and even that could leave an impact.”

Impact beyond city government

In addition to his role in city government, Spees headed up several nonproifit organizations, including One By One Leadership and Youth for Christ.

He also was a pastor at Northwest Church.

Autry noted how Spees didn’t just preach about helping those in need from afar; he worked closely with them.

“He didn’t just talk about working with the poor,” Autry said. “He lived in the poor neighborhoods and walked his talk, trying to help as many as he could.”

In 2016, Spees ran for mayor and received Autry’s public backing.

Spees didn’t win but went on to work for the city the following year under former Mayor Lee Brand as the director of Strategic Initiatives.

Spees became the Housing and Homelessness Services director in 2021 after Dyer took office.

During Spees’ retirement in 2022, City Manager Georgeanne White applauded his efforts to address the homeless issues in Fresno despite criticisms that he faced while serving as director.

“H is a very compassionate and committed human being to this city ... He’s been on the front lines in a very, very difficult line of work,” White said then. “I just wanted to say thank you to him for everything he’s done. He’s certainly set a very good foundation for us to take to the next level.”