Emergency Proclamation to Address Homelessness
Update 2
City Council Meeting - February 7, 2023
Mission Statement
To reduce the number of persons experiencing homelessness in the City and the region by increasing housing opportunities and by enhancing current initiatives that provide field-based outreach, engagement, and supportive services while maintaining the safety and security of the people experiencing homelessness, the general public and staff, and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
2 Existing Efforts
3 Homelessness Emergency Response Efforts
44 • Second Winter Shelter Location
o Announced for Silverado Park
o Will double the capacity of
temporary shelter beds
• Will provide the following services:
o Housing-focused case management
o Screening for housing programs
o Referrals to year-round shelter programs
o Three meals per day
o On-site showers and restroom facilities
o Activities
Homelessness Emergency Response Efforts
55 • RV Dump Station Location
o Only open to people who have received a referral from the Multi-Service Center (MSC), not open to the general public
o St. Louis Avenue and 32nd Street, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. o Provides two or three sanitation dump stations, allowing people living in RVs to properly dispose their sewage and access water filling stations o On-site staffing, consisting of an attendant who will assist visitors with services and a security guard
o Construction approximately 2 – 3 weeks to complete
Homelessness Emergency Response Efforts
66 • Mobile Access Vehicle
o This serves as a Mobile MSC which is
operated by outreach staff and public
health nurse with intake, case
management and direct services
o Expanded to
▪ Corner of East 6th Street and Long Beach
Boulevard (Tuesdays 1-4 pm)
▪ The Promenade (Wednesdays 9am-
12pm)
▪ Billie Jean King Main Library (Thursdays
9am - 12pm)
• Field Command Center: Currently
centralizes homelessness emergency
response efforts Downtown
• Visual Improvement Program (VIP)
o Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Grant program($100,000) o Awards to support sidewalk activation, special events, and clean and safe initiatives o 9 BIDs receiving funds
• Visual Improvement Program (VIP)
o Visual Improvement Grant program($350,000 in grants)
o Local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism on/after October 1, 2022 o $1,500 grants can be used for storefront repairs, boarding costs, insurancedeductibles, business operating expenses
o Applications to open February 22
o Information available at longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants Business Support
77 • Awarded $6.1 million in loans to two firms for purchase and development of affordable rental housing to serve those who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness
• Creates 192 new units
• 75 percent of units will be reserved for residents who are experiencing homelessness
• Projects expected to break ground in summer 2024
Affordable Housing Support
88 Education Efforts
99 • Livestreamed updates with Mayor
Richardson and special guests
o Economic Development Director
Bo Martinez
o Health and Human Services Director
Kelly Colopy
o Development Services Director
Christopher Koontz
• Published 8th homelessness column
in the Press-Telegram
o Written by Health and Human Services
Director Kelly Colopy
Education Efforts
1010
• Held Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on January
26, 2023
• Counted/surveyed people experiencing
homelessness to understand the scope
of homelessness, define existing
resources available and identify gaps
• Participation by more than
300 volunteers and staff
Education Efforts
1111
• Updated City Everyone
Home Website
o Added new information on
programs and services
supporting people
experiencing homelessness
o Information available at:
longbeach.gov/homelessness
• Celebrated the $4 million award in
State funds from Senator Gonzalez
for funding to upgrade the City’s
Multi- Service Center
• Submitted proposed $11.91 million
budget to support the response
effort for City Council consideration
• Finalized eight letters to send to
County of Los Angeles, LA Metro,
and local partners requesting
support to address the regional
challenge of homelessness
Financial Support
1212
• Natural Gas Emergency Price Spike Rebate Program
o Approved by the City Council on February 1, 2023
o Program to be developed using an equity lens, to best reach those most in need, and, within resources, help as many people as possible
o Focus on providing financial relief to Long Beach residential customers, particularly those who are low income, disabled, and seniors on fixed income • On February 1st, the Mayor, Health and Human Services Director, and City Attorney toured the winter shelter located at Community Hospital Other Efforts
1313
Response to Questions from Previous Meeting
14 Questions for Follow Up
• How does the community know who to call related to homeless services? How can Councilmembers call in to report hotspots that need attention?
• Can the City provide a map of RV sewer dump stations? • Can the City’s dashboard data include information on additional permanent housing and how the City is doing in this area? • Can the City explore ways to reduce the impact of gas rate increases? 15 Focus Areas in Next Two Weeks
16 Forthcoming Actions
• Complete preparations required to bring the second winter shelter online within three weeks of announcement
• Expand locations across Long Beach where people can donate items for people experiencing homelessness and develop a site where non-profit organizations can request items
• Design notification system for people experiencing homelessness so they are aware of when service opportunities are available
• Begin formation of key stakeholder outreach plan
• Begin formation of the clergy workgroup
17 Forthcoming Actions
• Announce SAFE Parking site for vehicles that will create safe parking locations to reduce impacts on neighborhoods
• Plan for next locations and focus areas for Mobile Access Center and coordinated efforts
• Continue evaluating properties citywide (both public and private) that can be temporarily used or acquired to further support the local emergency
• Staff up the Homeless Services Bureau to address case management and public health nursing needs
• Implement the City Council-approved Natural Gas Emergency Price Spike Rebate Program
18 Forthcoming Actions
• Finalize letters to state and federal partners outlining the City’s requests for support to address the homelessness emergency • Work to set up meetings with regional partners such as LA County, LA Metro and regional partners to discuss opportunities. • Engage with the County of Los Angeles on their plans for Measure H funding to expand resources for Long Beach to prevent homelessness and provide services
• Launch the initial version of the data dashboard
• Further develop the emergency response efforts
through the nine identified workgroups
19 Thank you
Kelly Colopy, Director
Department of Health and Human
Services
Eric Lopez, Director
Department of Public Works
20