NB-64
LONG BEACH
Memorandum
*MARY* City of Long Beach
ZENDEJAS
CITY COUNCIL
Working Together
to Serve
Date: December 6, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor and Council
From:
Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, First Council District
Cindy Allen, Second Council District
Councilwoman Suely Saro, Sixth Council District
Subject: Comprehensive Update on Temporary Supportive Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to request City Manager to provide a comprehensive update on the City's efforts on providing temporary supportive housing for households experiencing homelessness and on the maintenance and conditions of existing sites.
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the need for temporary supportive or transitional housing throughout Long Beach and the Greater L.A. region. As the world faced this public health emergency, the need for social distancing and isolation also contributed to the augmentation of unemployment and domestic violence incidents, both of which have been identified as leading factors to homelessness.'
To address these housing emergency needs the State of California established Project Roomkey in March of 2020. Through Project Roomkey allocations and other sources, the City of Long Beach was able to secure additional funding that activated multiple shelters and on-site supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.
These efforts were also made possible due the adoption of the Interim Motel Conversion Ordinance that allowed for the voluntary and non-permanent conversion of motel to supportive or transitional housing.? This ordinance eliminated barriers that hindered such transitions and created a pathway for temporary stability and the means to quarantine for households in need of housing during the pandemic.
On May 3, 2022, City Council expanded these high need resources by awarding contracts to the Inn Motel, Colonial Motel, and Coast Motel to provide temporary shelters for households experiencing homelessness and/or program participants who are homeless and in need of temporary motel lodging within the City of Long Beach.3 DISCUSSION:
The 2022 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count found 3, 296 people in Long Beach experiencing homelessness, of which 2, 287 (69%) were unsheltered and living on the streets. * Thus, it is a critical responsibility of City Council to receive and review a comprehensive update on the City's temporary supportive housing efforts.
12022 Homeless Count. City of Long Beach. (2022). Retrieved from https://longbeach.gov/everyone- home-long-beach
2 Granicus, I. (2020, September 15). Long Beach City Council Agenda Item 19. City of Long Beach.
Retrieved from http://longbeach.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=8769311 3 Granicus, I. (n.d.). Long Beach City Council Agenda Item 20. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://longbeach.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=10981650 42022 Homeless Count. City of Long Beach. (2022). Retrieved from https://longbeach.gov/everyone-home-long- beach
The update is to include, but not limited to, an overview of the process for acquisition and transition of these sites, of the outreach conducted, of the number of people sheltered and assisted throughout supportive care services, of the number of people transitioned to permanent housing, of the maintenance and conditions of these sites, and of any challenges and areas of need for improvement that have been identified.
In the process of working to expand affordable housing and permanent housing options for folks experiencing homelessness, it is also important to ensure and monitor that the transitional supportive shelter offered to people in need is habitable and safe. This update will help Long Beach lead in a more informed and effective manner and will also help communicate transparency to residents in regard to the City's efforts and commitment to addressing the immediate emergency need for transitional housing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No Financial Management review was able to be conducted due to the urgency and time sensitivity of this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
Due to this issue being time sensitive, this item is of an urgent matter.
LONG
BEACH
REQUEST TO ADD AGENDA ITEM
Date: December 6, 2022
To: Monique De La Garza, City Clerk
From: Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, First Council District Subject: Comprehensive Update on Temporary Supportive Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness
Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 2.03.070 [B], the City Councilmembers signing below request that the attached agenda item (due in the City Clerk Department by Friday, 12:00 Noon) be placed on the City Council agenda under New Business via the supplemental agenda.
The agenda title/recommendation for this item reads as follows:
Recommendation to request City Manager to provide a comprehensive update on the City's efforts on providing temporary supportive housing for households experiencing homelessness and on the maintenance and conditions of existing sites. and report back to the City Council in 60 days.
Council Authorizing Councilmember
District
1 Mary Zendejas
2 Cindy Allen
6 Suely Saro