CITY OF Office of the City Manager
LONGBEACH 411 West Ocean Boulevard, 10' Floor Long Beach, S1096802 March 21, 2023 NB-44
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
City of Long Beach
RECOMMENDATION:
To continue the local emergency caused by conditions or threatened conditions of homelessness within the City of Long Beach, which if not corrected, constitute an imminent and proximate threat to the safety of persons and property within the City; and Receive and file an update on the emergency declaration and associated activities and provide any additional direction to City staff regarding the emergency. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) has designated significant resources to address homelessness in Long Beach. Since 2020, more than 530 new interim housing units have been developed.
The City opened the first year-round Atlantic Bridge Community Shelter, secured three hotels along with the County of Los Angeles (County), and recently purchased the 78-bed Luxury Inn and more than 30 modular shelter units. The City also implemented three Restorative Engagement to Achieve Collective Health (REACH) teams, increased the number of outreach staff and call takers from 4 to 27, expanded hours for weekend outreach, began conducting localized interdepartmental response, partnered to provide mobile health care services, and doubled Police Department Quality of Life teams. In 2023, the City has implemented mobile Multi-Service Center (MSC) outreach teams, will launch a mobile mental health and substance use treatment van, and will continue to focus on mental health prevention and treatment access.
The City continues to have approximately 3,300 people experiencing homelessness throughout Long Beach, which is a 77 percent increase since 2017 and a 62 percent increase from 2020 to 2022. Of these 3,300 people, approximately 2,300 are unsheltered. The City and local community-based organizations provide approximately 1,300 interim shelter beds, and most of these shelters are operating at capacity, leaving few options for those currently without shelter.
Declaration of the Emergency
On January 10, 2023, the City Council proclaimed the local emergency, in accordance with the provisions of Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 2.69. This item will be reviewed every fourteen (14) days until the City Council terminates said local emergency or amends
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
requirements for reporting frequency. A local emergency must be terminated at the earliest possible date as the conditions warrant.
The Mission of the Emergency
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.
Everyone Home Long Beach leads with the following statement of possibility: The experience of homelessness in Long Beach is rare and brief when it occurs. The Mission, goals and actions outlined in the local homeless emergency are aligned with the Everyone Home Long Beach Plan.
The City identified the following metrics to evaluate through the state of emergency:
Homelessness Emergency Metrics
The following Homelessness Emergency Metrics were provided in the Proclamation with some clarification in terminology:
• Decrease number of persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness • Increase housing placements
• Increase starts on new affordable housing options
• Increase temporary and permanent housing units
• Increase outside aid through access to mental health and substance use beds • Decrease disproportionality in which Black, Indigenous and Pacific Islander persons experience homelessness
• Decrease number of persons who die in unsheltered situations • Decrease number of persons falling into homelessness
• Increase intergovernmental (regional) partnerships to address the homeless crisis • Increase multi-jurisdictional (and multi-departmental) efforts to address violence on or perpetuated by people experiencing homelessness
An additional metric was added by City staff:
• Increase speed of delivering critical projects addressing homelessness
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
Homelessness Emergency Goals
To address the City's homelessness challenges, the City has been working on the following immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. These goals have been organized into four categories: increase access to services, engage community in data planning and assistance, build capacity to address homelessness crisis, and increase interim and long-term housing access. Outlined below are the list of goals that the City will accomplish in alignment with the Homelessness Emergency Metrics:
Increase access to services
Timeframe Goals
• Increase access to services through Mobile Access Center Open temporary Safe Parking program
Immediate Open RV Sanitation and Water Filling Site
• Launch text notification system to provide real-time information and connection to service locations
.. Provide business support services
Increase access to mental health services throughout Long Beach Short Open long term safe parking and safe RV parking
:
Initiate discussions and collaboration on better models for local mental health services
: Collaborate with LA Metro hub to support referral efforts Identify location and operational funding for Recuperative Care Medium
• Partner with LA County to increase mental health and substance use disorder treatment service access
Long • Identify and implement prevention strategies and investments Engage community in data planning and assistance
Timeframe Goals
: Impich das come featuring local home and oss data
Implement community engagement and outreach process for homeless services-related efforts
Immediate • Incorporate the City's commitments for site selection into Homelessness Activation
• Launch a donation effort to collect materials and engage the community in supporting City efforts
: Improve public access data for homelessness efforts
Hold stakeholder meetings throughout Long Beach to engage Short community in idea generation, prioritization, and understanding •• Engage clergy and non-profits to bolster capacity
Engage businesses in education and brainstorming
Medium • Update Everyone Home Long Beach Strategic Plan to include focus on effective practices
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
• Convene regional partners for long-term prevention planning and Long implementation
Build capacity to address homeless crisis
Timeframe Goals
• Identify and apply for funding opportunities
• Identify specific roles and assistance from partner agencies such as Harbor, Utilities, and Long Beach Transit
Immediate • Make specific resource requests from the County, Metro, and State to build local Long Beach capacity
• Initiate regional discussions on building regional capacity in the Gateway Cities
• Identify and implement operational improvements in staffing, funding, Short and processes
• Secure one-time Measure H/HHAP funding for local investment • Collaborate with cities within the region to increase shelter and service opportunities
Medium • Enhance LAHSA partnership to connect people coming into Long Beach from the region to regional services
• Secure one-time funding from intergovernmental efforts • Work to change the Measure H/HHAP distributions to address equity concerns
Long
• Have access to significantly more housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness
Increase interim and long-term housing access
Timeframe Goals
Open Winter Shelter
Immediate Create Landlord educational campaign and outreach, including launch of outreach line
• Lease up all Emergency Housing Vouchers
Implement ongoing interim shelter site
Short • • Formalize additional contracts with motels to take motel vouchers Establish process for warming centers during cold weather beyond winter shelter program
: Open Luxury Inn and Modular Units
Initiate analysis and implement policy changes in zoning, affordable Medium
housing and prevention efforts
• Implement tenant protection processes, resources, and education Implement affordable housing policy
: Increase affordable housing units
Long
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
• Ensure permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness coming from Long Beach by attaching project-based vouchers to Long
current Homekey sites
cont'd
Identify additional permanent supportive housing funding and implementation opportunities including Project Homekey.
Homelessness Dashboard
The City has launched a new data dashboard showcasing local homelessness data, including demographics of people experiencing homelessness and data on the various housing anc support services offered by the City. The dashboard serves as an accountability platform that will provide timely, transparent data to the public.
The dashboard, available at longbeach.gov/homelessnessdashboard, offers a comprehensive look at homelessness in Long Beach since 2018. The dashboard will be used to further inform the City's ongoing efforts to address the homelessness crisis and support the City's mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing current initiatives and addressing and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
Focus Areas for the Next Two Weeks
Staff will provide an oral report on March 21, 2023, on some of the areas of focus for the next two weeks that contribute to the progress of the short-term goals. Topics will include:
Increase access to services
• Announce Safe Parking Site
• Announce RV Sanitation and Water Filling Site
• Continue partnership conversations with LA County Department of Health Services and LAHSA
• Continue identifying partners who will offer after-hours bed availability, mental health support and shelter opportunities
Engage community in data planning and assistance
• In partnership with the City team, the Mayor will begin hosting a series of community round table sessions with every council district represented, to have conversations about how partners can collaborate within the emergency response efforts and support short-term and long-term solutions to addressing homelessness. • Plan an interfaith convening of faith organizations from across Long Beach who are committed to supporting the efforts of not only the emergency response, but ongoing after the emergency has been lifted.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Finalize recommendation for the $13 million budget
• Finalize letter to federal leadership regarding the City's priorities to address the emergency
• Continue evaluating potential Airport and Port of Long Beach properties that can support additional homelessness services
• Continue to staff up the Homeless Services Bureau to address case management and public health nursing needs
• Continue researching grants with homelessness connection • Follow up with LA County on request to support emergency Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Continue to conduct enhanced engagement with housing providers to boost participation in Housing Voucher Program
• Host three remaining virtual information sessions for property owners and landlords to educate them on different aspects of the housing voucher process • Work to identify emergency shelter locations for when the winter shelter program ends • Finalize extension of Community Hospital through April 2023 • Continue evaluating other properties citywide (both public and private) that could be temporarily used or acquired to further support the local emergency • Support homeless prevention efforts by identifying resources to support the Right to Counsel program prior to the ending of the county's eviction moratorium Questions from March 7, 2023
At the last hearing of this item, there were several questions from the dais. Some were answered in person, and the following questions staff have a response below:
• Will the 10 metrics be tracked on the dashboard?
• Response: Yes, in the next iteration of the dashboard. • What happens when encampments are cleared out/cleaned up? • Response: Paul Duncan discussed a graphic that describes the process and timeline.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
• Can we use the Go Long Beach app to push notifications? • Response: The Go Long Beach app platform does not allow for push notifications. However, staff are exploring adding connections from the Go Long Beach app/platform to the City's comprehensive webpage on homelessness. • Can staff bring back more information on how funds are utilized and tracked? • Response: Yes, during the March 21st meeting staff will bring back a detailed overview of funding available and how it is planned to be utilized. • Can we receive a live presentation of the dashboard?
• Response: Yes, this will be presented during the March 21st meeting. • Can the City's efforts be organized into short, medium, and long-term goals? • Response: Yes, staff has spent the last two weeks on this request, part of which is presented within this report.
• What are the areas of challenge that remain for us in this difficult work? • Response: Staff will be ready to discuss this as part of the presentation on March 21st.
• Can staff focus more on telling the complex story of homelessness? • Response: Next week, the City will be launching an Inside Long Beach story about the personal struggle of an individual who spent 30 years on the street, who recently has accepted services and working with City staff to be successfully housed.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani and Recovery Budget Officer Dee Okam.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 21, 2023, in accordance with the Long Beach Municipal Code requirements for the review of the local emergency. In order to report back every two weeks and to allow time for updates with the actions of the past two weeks, the item will generally be released on the Supplemental Agenda with a presentation with the latest information provided to the City Council and community during the meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The full fiscal impact is unknown at this time and will be based on the work required and projects implemented to respond to the homelessness crisis. As the Citywide strategy is developed, and funding is identified, staff will return to the City Council with fiscal impacts and requests for
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 21, 2023
appropriation. This recommendation will result in significant staffing impacts beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is expected to affect Citywide staffing workload and will cause priorities to shift due to this emergency. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
TOBILL
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER
Attachments: A - Supporting Documentation on Actions Taken in the Past Two Weeks 3/16/23, 5:29 PM City Seeks Community Input on Homelessness in Long Beach Select Language | V ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/16/2023
Press Release # 031623-2FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Seeks Community Input on Homelessness in Long Beach City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570. NEWS
[email protected]
Long Beach, CA - As part of the City of Long Beach's mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing current initiatives and addressing and improving overall public safety for the entire community, the City has launched a survey seeking community members' knowledge and perceptions of homelessness in Long Beach to garner feedback to further inform City resources, services and response efforts.
The survey is now available at longbeach. gov/homelessness. "To meet the challenge of homelessness, it's important to listen and understand the needs of our residents as we measure our community's progress," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "We want to hear your voice and get feedback through this survey. We're all in this together." The survey, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, asks a variety of questions regarding one's knowledge and perception of homelessness in Long Beach, including questions related to affordable housing availability, community concerns, City resources and services offered, evaluation of the City's response efforts, among others. Results of the survey will be used to further inform the City's response to the homelessness crisis, help guide allocation of resources to address homelessness, and ensure City messaging about homelessness resources is addressing community concerns and information gaps. Those without computer or smart phone access can visit a public computer lab at any open Long Beach Public Library location.
At the conclusion of the survey, an analysis of the quantitative and open-ended results will be shared with the Long Beach City Council. The survey is powered by Zencity, a digital community engagement and strategic planning platform.
For more information on the City's efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach. gov/homelessness and follow @Ibhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-seeks-community-input-on-homelessness-in-long-beach/ 1/2 3/16/23, 5:29 PM City Seeks Community Input on Homelessness in Long Beach follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-seeks-community-input-on-homelessness-in-long-beach/ 212 3/16/23, 12:11 PM Emergency Response Information Now Available on Long Beach's Homelessness Services and Information Hub Website Select Language | V
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/16/2023
Press Release # 031623FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Emergency Response Information Now Available on Long Beach's Homelessness Services and Information Hub Website
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has launched a new tab on its Homelessness Services and Information Hub website detailing the City's response efforts for the homelessness state of emergency. The new tab, available at longbeach.gov/homelessness, will offer a one-stop-shop for City news, data and resources surrounding the homelessness crisis and will also support the City's efforts to provide timely, transparent information to the public. "We continue to look for ways to provide as much information to our community as possible," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This new tab enhances the existing webpage, which already offers an extensive array of information, and will also hold us accountable as we move forward in our emergency response."
The Emergency Response tab will be updated regularly and includes the following information:
• Synopsis and mission statement for the emergency proclamation. • Link to the newly-launched data dashboard.
• A list of notable activities related to the emergency. • Updates to the Long Beach City Council, including presentations and recordings. • A list of emergency response livestreams hosted by Mayor Richardson. • Frequently asked questions, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, regarding new programs and shelter sites.
In December 2022, the City launched the new Homelessness Services and Information Hub webpage. The webpage was developed in effort to provide a central location for resources and information for the public and to serve as a multifaceted information and resource hub for people https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/emergency-response-information-now-available-on--long-beachs-homelessness-services-and-information-hub-w... 1/2 3/16/23, 12:11 PM Emergency Response Information Now Available on Long Beach's Homelessness Services and Information Hub Website experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Since its launch, the webpage has quickly become one of the most viewed City webpages.
For more information on the City's efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @Ibhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Iwitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/emergency-response-information-now-available-on--long-beachs-homelessness-services-and-information-hub-w.. 212
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
Memorandum
Date: March 16, 2023
To: Thomas B. Modica, City Manager T.M.
From: Kelly Colopy, Director, Health and Human Services Department C For: Mayor and Members of the City Council
Subject: Status Update on Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Units On February 8, 2022
Continum are thers the an al appropriated par miy a study to easily on gulach land and funds to support the expansion of the Health and Human Services Department's Tiny Home Shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness.
City staff have continued to research best practices, explore potential opportunities, and implement the expansion of housing opportunities through this innovative program. As previously updated, the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) has engaged the Long Beach Continuum of Care Board, the Homeless Services Advisory Committee, and other subject matter experts for input on modular living units as an opportunity for both interim and permanent housing solutions. The Health Department has also conducted 100 surveys of people experiencing homelessness to understand their preferences in design and programming for modular non-congregate shelters.
Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Units at the Multi-Service Center Background
On September 9, 2021, the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for approximately $1.45 billion in grants as part of the Homekey Program (Homekey) Round 2. The program continues a statewide effort to rapidly sustain and expand housing for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and impacted by COVID-19 by partnering with local entities to acquire and rehabilitate a variety of housing types. Eligible grant activities include acquisition or rehabilitation of motels and hotels in support of those experiencing homelessness.
Upon notification of potential availability of Homekey funds and considering the extensive need for interim and permanent housing opportunities within the City of Long Beach (City), the City's Affordable Housing Workgroup, comprised of representatives from the City Manager's Office and Development Services, Health, and Economic Development Departments, discussed possible opportunities to leverage these funds. The City team identified the modular non- congregate shelter project (sometimes referred to as "Tiny Homes") as a high priority due to the immediate need for interim housing, relatively low cost, synergies with existing homeless services, and the potential to pilot a model for future implementation in other locations.
Status Update - Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Units Date March 16, 2023
City staff identified a portion of the parking lot of the Long Beach Multi-Service Center (MSC) as an ideal first location to pilot these shelter units. The property and facility are City owned and operated, with vacant space that requires no acquisition or demolition. The MSC is already a low barrier access center for people experiencing homelessness, providing outreach, intake, and assessment services, case management, referrals to permanent housing, shelters and other social service programs, showers and basic needs, a health clinic, and other service enrollment. The MSC is also accessible by public transit with seven public bus stops within half a mile of the property, and on-site transportation services are provided through the MSC.
City staff identified that the location could support between 30 and 35 single occupancy units and proceeded to apply for Homekey funding to support the project.
On April 19, 2022, the City Council authorized an agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the Homekey grant application and award of grant funds for the Tiny Homes project. On June 28, 2022, the City was notified that it had been awarded $5,616,752 for the modular non-congregate shelter project. Awarded funds are earmarked to cover construction and vendor costs first and any remaining funds will be used to support the service and operational costs of the program over the next three years. It is estimated that the annual cost to operate the program will be $930,818. The Homekey grant is estimated to cover approximately 40 percent of supportive service and operational costs over the initial three years. To sustain operations after Homekey grant funding is exhausted and the grant term has expired, the City plans to leverage other State grant funds for the program including the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP) and Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Round 3 and 4 Program funds.
After funding was awarded, City staff assembled a site design and delivery team comprised of staff from Public Works, Health, Economic Development, Technology and Innovation, and Fire departments, as well as City contractors providing construction management and architectural services. A Request for Proposals (RFP) HE22-158 was released on October 20, 2022 for a qualified vendor for the design, manufacture, delivery, and installation of 30-35 modular non- congregate shelter units to safely house people experiencing homelessness. Four proposals were submitted by four organizations, which were reviewed by a panel of five individuals from the Development Services, Fire, Health and Human Services, and Public Works departments, and the Long Beach Continuum of Care. Proposals were evaluated based on organizational capacity and experience, method of approach, and reasonableness of cost. After review, the panel selected HOME EC Inc., dba Connect Homes, as the vendor. On February 7, 2023, the City Council approved the contract with HOME EC Inc., dba Connect Homes, to provide the design, manufacturing, delivery, and installation of 30 to 35 modular non-congregate shelter units to provide interim or temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness at the MSC.
Project Scope
The Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Unit Project (Project) encompasses the procurement and installation of 33 single-occupancy/non-congregate modular living units at the Long Beach MSC to for operation as non-congregate interim housing and supportive services for people Status Update - Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Units Date March 16, 2023
experiencing homelessness. The project is located in approximately 15,000 square feet of existing parking lot at the north west end of the MSC property.
This Project will include 33 single-occupancy, non-congregate modular living units, each containing its own bed, storage, refrigerator, microwave, individual bathrooms with sink, toilet, and shower, fire sprinklers, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. A requirement of receiving Homekey funds stipulated that each unit have its own restroom with the City identifying the preference that each unit include in-unit restrooms with individual showers, running water, electricity, and lighting, as this was a significant theme from feedback from those currently experiencing homelessness, with individual restrooms being the top desired amenity. Connect Homes units are built with an all-steel moment frame for durability and reusability, designed to provide over 50 years of service. City staff also emphasized the fire safety of the units, including fire resistant materials and fire sprinklers in every unit.
Six of the 33 units will be ADA-accessible, ensuring accessibility to those with mobility, sight and hearing disabilities. The units will be laid upon concrete pads and connected to wet and dry utilities (electrical, water, and sewer). The units will be connected by an ADA-accessible elevated boardwalk, surrounded by protective fencing, and have an entry security checkpoint area. The Project will also include the installation of one 10' x 10' structure for a security guard and residential supervisor, new fencing around the project site and the perimeter of the MSC, improved lighting and surveillance camera coverage, an emergency exit, and a gate to control entry. The project will also include Wi-Fi access, outdoor furniture, landscaping, wayfinding signage, and other site improvements to ensure a dignified environment.
Once operational, the Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Program (Program) will provide interim housing, prioritizing chronically homeless individuals, and focusing on stabilizing and connecting individuals with permanent housing resources. All referrals to the program will be through the Coordinated Entry System via the MSC with people experiencing chronic homelessness receiving priority for enrollment. The Health Department will directly operate the Program through City staff and contracted vendors. The City will manage operations and program participant services by providing 24-hour residential supervision and on-site security, food service (three meals a day), custodial services, property maintenance, case management, crisis intervention and conflict resolution, and other supportive services. The Project is expected to complete construction by the end of 2023.
Other Opportunities
City staff continue to be supportive of the modular model for rapidly developing interim and permanent housing. The utilization of modular construction of units allows for a flexibility of approaches. The selected vendor's product has multiple models including units with a kitchenette, allowing for modular units that provide affordable permanent housing in the form of micro-units. These could rapidly deliver permanent housing units at a more cost-effective scale. Units may also be constructed at multiple levels to increase density within a given site.
While moving forward with developing the shelter units at the MSC, City staff are actively exploring other opportunity sites to develop similar projects, including City-owned properties Status Update - Modular Non-Congregate Shelter Units Date March 16, 2023
and private properties that may be acquired. The Notice of Fund Availability for Round 3 of the Homekey Program is expected to be released in March 2023, which may provide opportunities for the development of additional modular housing units for either interim or permanent housing, should an appropriate site be identified.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (562) 570-4014.
CC: DAWN MCINTOSH, CITY ATTORNEY
DOUGLAS P. HAUBERT, CITY PROSECUTOR
LAURA L. DOUD, CITY AUDITOR
LINDA F. TATUM, AssIsTANT CITY MANAGER
TERESA CHANDLER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
KATY NOMURA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
APRIL WALKER, ADMINISTRATIVE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
KEVIN LEE, CHIEF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
MONIQUE DE LA GARZA, CITY CLERK (REF. FILE #22-0146)
DEPARTMENT HEADS
3/15/23, 5:34 PM City of Long Beach Seeks Partnerships with Community Organizations to Serve Residents Experiencing Homelessness Select Language V
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/15/2023
Press Release # 031523FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Long Beach Seeks Partnerships with Community Organizations to Serve Residents Experiencing Homelessness
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570. NEWS
[email protected]
Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is seeking partnerships with community organizations and local companies that are interested in partnering with the City of Long Beach to collaborate with the City's homelessness emergency response and assist in serving residents experiencing homelessness.
"To achieve effective, long-term change we need the support and collaboration from our community partners," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "I encourage local and regional organizations and businesses to join in the effort to support our residents who are unhoused by offering their direct services and prevention strategies to reduce homelessness and support those in need." Local organizations and companies that are interested are invited to fill out the Emergency.
Homelessness Response Community Partnerships Interest Form. The City is focused on both direct services and upstream homelessness prevention strategies. Both funded and volunteer community partnership opportunities are available.
On Jan. 11, the City identified nine work groups to take on various aspects of the homelessness emergency response, including the Community Partnerships Work Group. The goal of this work group is to strengthen the collaboration and partnership with local organizations that can serve Long Beach residents experiencing homelessness. These partnerships are instrumental in lowering barriers and achieving positive outcomes for the entire community.
Equitable access to services and prevention is a priority of the City, and organizations that serve historically underserved populations are encouraged to become a partner in this important work.
For more information on the City's efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @Ibhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-seeks-partnerships-with-community-organizations-to-serve-residents--experiencing-homeless... 1/2 3/15/23, 5:34 PM City of Long Beach Seeks Partnerships with Community Organizations to Serve Residents Experiencing Homelessness follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-seeks-partnerships-with-community-organizations-to-serve-residents---experiencing-homeless.. 212 3/14/23, 5:38 PM Long Beach Police Department Doubles Quality of Life Team Select Language | V
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/14/2023
Press Release # 031423-2FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach Police Department Doubles Quality of Life Team Allison Gallagher
562.570.5273
[email protected]
Executive Communications Officer
Police Department
Long Beach, CA - Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Wally Hebeish today announced the expansion of the department's Quality of Life (QOL) team and the selection of four new QOL officers.
"The Quality of Life team does an incredible job, in partnership with our homeless service team, connecting people in our community who are experiencing homelessness to services, resources and housing," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "I'm proud to see the Police Department expanding this team to help address homelessness in our community."
"At the heart of community policing is relationships," said Chief of Police Wally Hebeish. "The QOL team exemplifies how strong relationships within our community can lead to meaningful change, helping people connect to resources and find permanent housing. The expansion of this team shows our commitment to improving quality of life in our community." In the fiscal year 2023 budget, the LBPD was approved to add four full-time QOL officers to the team, bringing the total to eight full-time QOL officer positions. These additional positions will augment citywide efforts to address homelessness, focus on issues related to people experiencing homelessness, and homeless encampments, including during the current local homelessness emergency. With the expansion of this team, the department will now have four, two-officer teams that will each focus on one geographic division while maintaining the ability to work as single QOL officers, when necessary. All LBPD officers receive training in order to assist people experiencing homelessness in the community.
In 2022, LBPD's Quality of Life and Mental Evaluation teams made over 9,100 contacts to offer services to people experiencing homelessness. This led to nearly 400 people receiving temporary https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-police-department-doubles-quality-of-life-team/ 1/2 3/14/23, 5:38 PM Long Beach Police Department Doubles Quality of Life Team housing and permanent housing for almost 40 people. The Quality of Life team participated in over 1,200 clean-ups throughout the city, a critical component to public health and safety that is done in conjunction with meaningful outreach to people experiencing homelessness conducted by Homeless Services Bureau staff. The Quality of Life team was created in 2007.
In addition to the expansion of the QOL team, the LBPD has also received funding to provide for overtime to support outreach and clean-up efforts along the riverbeds over a two-year period.
On Jan. 10, 2023, homelessness was proclaimed an emergency, in Long Beach. The emergency allows for increased ability to hire or contract critical roles and recruit qualified candidates; more quickly engage needed services, material and labor; speed up large-scale construction projects such as motel conversions and tiny homes; and work through zoning requirements that currently exclude certain uses of existing properties.
Any member of the public wishing to report issues regarding homelessness or encampments should call the City's non-emergency phone tree at 562.435.6711.
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Iwitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-police-department-doubles-quality-of-life-team/ 2/2 3/14/23, 1:14 PM Long Beach Launches New Dashboard Featuring Local Homelessness Data Select Language | V
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/14/2023
Press Release # 031423FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach Launches New Dashboard Featuring Local Homelessness Data City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has launched a new data dashboard showcasing local homelessness data, including demographics of people experiencing homelessness and data on the various housing and support services offered by the City. The dashboard is part of the City's commitment to aiding the most vulnerable members of the Long Beach community and will serve as an accountability platform that will provide timely, transparent data to the public. "Ending homelessness is a community effort and, in order to achieve collective impact, we must be transparent with data surrounding our homelessness crisis," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This new dashboard offers data about homelessness in Long Beach related to people, participation in available services and success indicators."
The dashboard, available at longbeach. gov/homelessnessdashboard, offers a comprehensive look at homelessness in Long Beach since 2018, including key demographic data such as race, ethnicity, gender and age of those served overall and more specifically in the housing programs; case management and service data such as program enrollment, number of people assisted, and program success indicators. Select data related to the City's emergency response is also included, with additional data fields to be added in the coming weeks. The dashboard is comprised of data collected by the City's Department of Health and Human Services Homeless Services Bureau's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) from 2018 to present day.
The dashboard will be used to further inform the City's ongoing efforts to address the homelessness crisis and support the City's mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing current initiatives and addressing and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
Additional data will be added to the dashboard as more information becomes available. https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-launches-new-dashboard-featuring-local-homelessness-data/ 1/2 3/14/23, 1:14 PM Long Beach Launches New Dashboard Featuring Local Homelessness Data For more information on the City's efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach. gov/homelessness and follow @ibhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Iwitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-launches-new-dashboard-featuring-local-homelessness-data/ 212 3/13/23, 1:44 PM Long Beach to Host Donation Drive Thru to Support People Experiencing Homelessness Select Language 7
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/13/2023
Press Release # 031323-2FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach to Host Donation Drive Thru to Support People Experiencing Homelessness Large donation pickup request form now available for Long Beach donors City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570. NEWS
[email protected]
Long Beach, CA - On Saturday, March 18, the City of Long Beach will host a drive thru donation event to collect essential items for people experiencing homelessness. The donation drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Veterans Stadium (5000 E. Lew Davis St.) parking lot located on East Conant Street.
"We have heard from people all over the city who want to help people experiencing homelessness," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "We are grateful to everyone who has donated items to our drop-off locations, and now we are making it even easier to go all in by visiting our convenient donation drive thru. You load your trunk with needed items, and we will take care of the rest. Thank you all for making a difference."
Donations received during the event will be distributed at the MSC to people experiencing homelessness and will also be available to local partner organizations to distribute. "There's a lot of people in need of everyday essentials," said Health and Human Services Director Kelly Colopy. "This drive can really make a difference in providing people with warm clothing, food, pet care supplies, flashlights and chargers, and even house-warming gifts." People interested in contributing to the drive are encouraged to do so by donating any of the following needed items:
• Hygiene kits or house-warming gift kits from the Multi-Service Center Amazon Wish List. • Backpacks filled with needed items such as hand warmers, flashlights, battery packs, batteries (usually D batteries), emergency blankets and charging cables. • Pet care kits with things like pet food, treats, collars, leashes, pet toys or collapsible pet bowls.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-to-host-donation-drive-thru-to-support-people-experiencing-homelessness/ 1/2 3/13/23, 1:44 PM Long Beach to Host Donation Drive Thru to Support People Experiencing Homelessness • S, M, L, XL or XXL sweatpants, shirts, socks and men's and women's underwear, beanies, scarves, caps, hoodies, towels or blankets. Gently used items are appreciated, too. • Welcome home kits with some of the suggested items above and a special hand-written motivating message to go in the kit. It's a meaningful way to get youth involved in helping the community.
• Food items like canned food, bottled drinks like juices or water, snacks such as granola bars or power bars, instant oatmeal and instant soup.
While gift cards will not be accepted at the drive thru event, they can be donated at the Multi- Service Center (MSC). To schedule a drop-off time, people can call 562.570.4586.
Long Beach donors interested in donating large/heavy items or items of significant quantities can request a donation pick up by completing the large donation pickup request form. Upon submission of the form, a City staff member will review the item(s) for donation and will be in contact within five business days.
In February, the City launched a donation drive to collect a variety of essential physical items to provide to people experiencing homelessness. To learn about more ways to get involved, click here.
The City does not represent or warrant that any donations made to the City are tax deductible.
Donors are encouraged to work with their tax professional. Receipts of donations will be available at the drive.
For more information on the City's efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @Ibhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Iwitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-to-host-donation-drive-thru-to-support-people-experiencing-homelessness/ 2/2
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
Memorandum
Date: March 7, 2023
To: Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Thomas B. Modica, City Manager T.Mll.
Subject: Homeless Emergency Response Update - Community Engagement and Roundtable Discussion
As the City of Long Beach (City) navigates through the emergency proclamation response to address homelessness, local and regional partners play an integral role in how we effectively create opportunities for housing and service provisions for those who are experiencing homelessness throughout Long Beach. Just over two months into the emergency response effort, it is important to acknowledge many of the lessons learned and future opportunities in how we connect with community partners, both housed and unhoused, as we roll out programs and service models. The City acknowledges that in our efforts to move quickly and efficiently to address the immediate housing need, we also must be efficient in our community outreach practices while also thinking through the equity implications at the forefront of the decision- making process.
Under the Emergency Operations Command (EOC) structure, the Community Partnerships workgroup is collaborating with City leadership and the Mayor's Office to connect and coordinate with community stakeholders who span across sectors, including our faith based community, non-profit partners, for profit businesses, health care systems, education systems, and community associations at a variety of connection points. A community partnership form has been sent and posted online in multiple languages to elicit support from people and organizations who would like to contribute to the efforts. City leadership is working alongside the Mayor's Office to host a series of roundtable discussions (seven in total) through the month of March into early April to engage partners in conversations on what they see as barriers and opportunities in this response. These will include the Mayor, the Councilmembers for the regional areas, and invited stakeholders to participate in a small group roundtable discussion.
We are asking partners to discuss how to effectively address the immediate need, while planning for the medium- and long-term efforts to ensure that those who are experiencing homelessness in Long Beach can be connected to services and housing as quickly as possible.
The first roundtable discussion was hosted at Century Villages at Cabrillo on Friday, March 3rd.
The Mayor facilitated this conversation, Councilmember Uranga provided insight, and City staff supported by providing context, and responded to inquiries about the City's process. It was a great discussion, as the City team walked away with many ideas for partnership as well as insight for future planning of the overall emergency response.
Over the past week, the City team has been working on a set of commitments to guide the work of siting shelters that has been informed by a variety of input and was discussed at the Homeless Emergency Response Update - Community Engagement and Roundtable Discussion
March 7, 2023
first stakeholder meeting as well. Those critical commitments to the community include four key focus areas:
1. Going forward, the City will conduct community engagement prior to making decisions about program specifics that have potential impacts, even for temporary operations.
2. The City will not program at locations that are providing existing community services.
3. The City commits to leaving locations in a better state than how they were found, making a net enhancement to the community.
4. Programs and projects will be spread across Long Beach and not concentrated only in one area.
Information gathered from these discussions are being synthesized and will be provided in a memo and recommendations will be utilized to enhance the emergency response process going forward. Best practices and recommendations will be incorporated into the current structure of the EOC to not only enhance the work that is already being done, but to ensure we are addressing homelessness as a united community because we are all in this together.
The City's regular livestream to the community that regularly happens on Tuesday's at 11:00 is being cancelled today. However, we are encouraging the community to tune in to today's Council meeting at 5:00 where we have an agendized item on the emergency to update the City Council. Further, we will discuss with the City Council the outreach activities that occurred this past week and the four community commitments recommended above.
If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Chandler at (562) 570-5116.
CC: DAWN MCINTOSH, CITY ATTORNEY
DougLas P. Haubert, City Prosecutor
LAURA L. DOUD, CITY AUDITOR
LINDA F. TATUM, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
TERESA CHANDLER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
KATY NOMURA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
APRIL WALKER, Administrative DePuTY CITY MANAGEr
KEVIN LEE, CHIEF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
MONIQUE DE LA GARZA, CITY CLERK
DEPARTMENT HEADS
3/3/23, 2:10 PM Long Beach Continues Enhanced Homeless Services Outreach, Continues to Deploy Mobile Access Center Through March Select Language V
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
PRESS RELEASE
Long Beach, CA 90802
3/3/2023
Press Release # 030323FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach Continues Enhanced Homeless Services Outreach, Continues to Deploy Mobile Access Center Through March
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach will continue to deploy its Mobile Access Center (MAC) through March, this month focusing on service areas throughout Long Beach. This outreach will continue to allow Homeless Services Bureau staff to conduct meaningful engagement and continue to build relationships, an essential component in increasing access to resources and services.
Beginning Monday, March 6, the MAC will be stationed at the following locations from 9 a.m. to noon:
• Mondays - Los Altos Market Center, parking lot southeast of Stearns Street and Bellflower Boulevard intersection.
• Tuesdays - Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), Atlantic Avenue side of park. • Wednesdays - Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway), Pacific Avenue side of Library.
• Thursdays - Area of Bellflower Boulevard and East 23rd Street, just north of Bellflower Boulevard and Stearns Street intersection.
• Fridays - Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), parking lot located off Myrtle Avenue.
A variety of factors, including years of contact data, distance from the Multi-Service Center (MSC), and service accessibility, were taken into consideration when selecting the new service areas. Data show that some people are contacted 10 or more times before becoming open to receiving services, which is why deploying the MAC is critical to the City's emergency response efforts and mission to reduce the number of residents experiencing homelessness. The MAC significantly lowers barriers to providing case management services and other resources for people https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-continues-enhanced-homeless-services-outreach-continues-to-deploy-mobile-access-center-through... 1/2 3/3/23, 2:10 PM Long Beach Continues Enhanced Homeless Services Outreach, Continues to Deploy Mobile Access Center Through March experiencing homelessness. Unlike other forms of street outreach, the MAC allows outreach staff to start the intake process right on the street and offers nearly everything available at the MSC.
As of Feb. 27, the MAC has reached 414 people experiencing homelessness and connected 204 people to services, including referral and transport to shelter, enrollment into the homeless services system, connections to community resources, and basic medical services.
An additional MAC will be announced in the coming weeks, which will expand capacity and increase engagement by Homeless Services outreach teams to connect even more people to services and resources directly from the street.
For more information on the City's efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach. gov/homelessness and follow @Ibhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.
Media inquiries may be directed to City of Long Beach Joint Information Center at 562.570.NEWS or [email protected].
For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Iwitter, Instagram and YouTube.
https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-continues-enhanced-homeless-services-outreach-continues-to-deploy-mobile-access-center-through... 2/2
CITY OF
LONGBEACH
REQUEST TO ADD AGENDA ITEM
Date: March 17, 2023
To: Monique De La Garza, City Clerk
From: Thomas B. Modica, City Manager/ll
Subject: Request to Add Agenda Item to Council Agenda of March 21, 2023 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 via the supplemental agenda.
The agenda title/recommendation for this item reads as follows:
To continue the local emergency caused by conditions or threatened conditions of homelessness within the City of Long Beach, which if not corrected, constitute an imminent and proximate threat to the safety of persons and property within the City; and
Receive and file an update on the emergency declaration and associated activities and provide any additional direction to City staff regarding the emergency. (Citywide)
Council District Authorizing Councilmember Signed by
1 Mary Zendejas (Digital - attached email)
2 Cindy Allen (Digital - attached email)
5 Megan Kerr (Digital - attached email