Emergency Proclamation to Address Homelessness
Update 3
City Council Meeting - February 21, 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 • Mobile Access Vehicle (MAC)
o Currently at
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)
o Planned for future locations outside of
downtown to be deployed within next
two weeks
o Received new staff members including 1
Public Health Nurse, 2 Case Managers, 5
Outreach Workers
Homelessness Emergency Response Efforts
55 • Selected firm to design, build and
install modular non-congregate
shelter facilities (tiny homes) for
people experiencing homelessness
• These will be installed on MSC
property to provide interim or
temporary housing for people
experiencing homelessness
• Launched Community Partnerships
Interest Form
o Community members or groups can
express interest in supporting those
experiencing homelessness
o 20 responses received from partners
willing to contribute food, clothing, job
training, community outreach and
education and possible service sites
Partnership Efforts
66 • Expanded locations across the City where
people can donate items for people
experiencing homelessness
• Donation bins for items are available at
o All City Libraries
o Boys and Girls Club (3635 Long Beach Blvd)
o Donations to be dropped off during operating
hours
• Developed a website where non-profit
organizations can request items
Partnership Efforts
77 • Announced Mayoral Community Forum with local housing providers o February 22, 2023 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm
o Housing Authority, 1500 Hughes Way Suite A-150
o Share details about the City’s monetary incentives to encourage new owners, landlords and other housing providers to lease up with people assisted through the Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher and Emergency Housing Voucher programs
• Actively developing the Community Partner Roundtables o Goal to host several citywide convenings in March 2023 • Began asset mapping
o After-hours bed availability, mental health support and shelter resources Partnership Efforts
88 Education Efforts
99 • Livestreamed updates with Mayor
Richardson and special guests
o Held fifth livestream update with Police
Chief Wally Hebeish
• Launched Housing Authority
Information Line
• Received 242 calls/sent 137 emails in
first five days of service
Education Efforts
1010
• Shared list of resources
available to community for
addressing issues related to
homelessness
o Information available at:
longbeach.gov/homelessness
• Designing notification system
so people experiencing
homelessness are aware of
when service opportunities
are available
• Initial data dashboard being
tested
• Approved $13 million in one-time funds to support homelessness emergency response
• Finalized letters in support of state and federal proposals for more homeless services and housing funding
• Met with state legislative budget staff to review options for additional direct funding to large cities for homelessness
• Engaged 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
• Held meeting with Senator Lena Gonzalez’s office to discuss potential solutions that would make Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention funding more equitable for Long Beach
• Created list of potential grants/funds to pursue
Financial Support
1111
• Met with LA County Supervisor Hahn to discuss County support of Long Beach homelessness efforts
• Set up meetings with LA County leadership and regional partners through the Gateway Cities COG to strategize regional engagement on the homelessness emergency
• Submitted two letters of support related to legislative bills related to homelessness
• SB 24 (Feinstein) would provide additional federal dollars tosupport local homeless services and affordable housing efforts
• SB 91 (Umberg) would streamline indefinitely the conversion of motels into transitional and interim housing
Intergovernmental Efforts
1212
• Held meetings with regional partners such as LA County, LA Metro, and regional cities to discuss partnership opportunities to provide more resources and services for people experiencing homelessness o Expand affordable housing and shelter through County support of a permanent winter shelter and the redevelopment of Carmelitos
o Expand mental health resources in Long Beach by increasing local funding and access to residential mental health sites and services
o Make distribution of County homeless funding more equitable by addressing longstanding Measure H funding gaps and support City’s Project Homekey operations o Collocate and streamline services with the City by dedicating County staff at the Multi- Service Center to support people from neighboring jurisdictions o Expand LA Metro’s Transit Ambassador Pilot Program to support people experiencing homelessness on the A Line for time of service/as trains are taken out of service o Support the development of overnight shelter capacity for passengers deboarding the train at the end of line, provide additional outreach
Intergovernmental Efforts
1313
Response to Questions from Previous Meeting
14 Questions for Follow Up
• What type of resources is the City prioritizing when discussing Measure H funding with the County?
• What are stakeholder outreach plans?
• What are the current staffing needs to support the City’s homelessness efforts?
• How can we organize Safe Parking programs to be a safe space for families and undocumented individuals who need services?
15 Focus Areas in Next Two Weeks
16 Forthcoming Actions
• Complete improvements and bring the second Winter Shelter online. • Plan a drive thru donation drop-off event to support people experiencing homelessness
• Engage clergy workgroup and continue implementation of the stakeholder outreach and engagement plan
• Plan long-term schedule of locations and focus areas for Mobile Access Center
• Work to identify emergency shelter locations to be in place after winter shelter program ends
• Continue identifying partners who will offer after-hours bed availability, mental health support and shelter resources
17 Forthcoming Actions
• Finalize letters to state and federal partners outlining the City’s requests for support to address the homelessness emergency
• Launch public-facing dashboard
• Continue to staff up the Homeless Services Bureau to address case management and public health nursing needs
• Explore implementing a change to the CDBG Security Deposit Program to now include rental assistance for households that cannot pay their rent due to emergency expenses.
• Research all grants with homelessness connection that the City has received in the last several fiscal years, to identify if those grants are viable to pursue again
18 Thank you
Kelly Colopy, Director
Department of Health and Human
Services
Eric Lopez, Director
Department of Public Works
19