:
April 18, 2023
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
City of Long Beach
California
RECOMMENDATION:
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, b egan 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 requirements for reporting frequency. A local emergency must be terminated at the earliest possible date as the conditions warrant.
Office of the City Manager
411 West Ocean Boulevard, 10th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 570-6711
NB-38
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2023
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.
The 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 that 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 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 and planning, build capacity to address homelessness crisis and increase interim and long -term housing
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2023
access. Outlined below are the list of goals that the City seeks to accomplish in alignment with the Homelessness Emergency Metrics:
Increase access to services
Timeframe Goals
Immediate
• Increase access to services through Mobile Access Center • Open temporary Safe Parking program
• Open RV Sanitation and Water Filling Site
• Launch text notification system to provide real -time information and connection to service locations
Short
• Provide business support services
• Increase access to mental health services throughout City • Open long term safe parking and safe RV parking
Medium
• Identify location and operational funding for Recuperative Care • Collaborate with Metro hub to support referral efforts • 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 and planning
Timeframe Goals
Immediate
• Launch dashboard featuring local homelessness data
• Implement community engagement and outreach process for homeless services-related efforts
• Incorporate City commitments for site selection into Homelessness Activation
Short • Improve public access data for homelessness efforts Medium • Update Everyone Home Long Beach Strategic Plan to include focus on effective practices
Long • Convene regional partners for long -term prevention planning and implementation
Build capacity to address homeless crisis
Timeframe Goals
Immediate • Identify and apply for funding opportunities Short • Identify and implement operational improvements in staffing, funding, and processes
Medium
• Secure one-time Measure H/HHAP funding for local investment • Collaborate with Cities within the region to increase shelter and service opportunities
• Enhance LAHSA partnership to connect people coming into Long Beach from the region to regional services
• Secure one-time funding from intergovernmental efforts
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2023
Long • Work to change the Measure H/HHAP distributions to address equity concerns
Increase interim and long-term housing access
Timeframe Goals
Immediate
• Open Winter Shelter
• Create Landlord educational campaign and outreach, including launch of outreach line
Short
• Lease up all Emergency Housing Vouchers
• Implement ongoing interim shelter site
• Formalize additional contracts with motels to take motel vouchers • Establish process for warming centers during cold weather beyond winter shelter program
Medium
• Open Luxury Inn and modular units
• Initiate analysis and implement policy changes in zoning, affordable housing and prevention efforts
• Implement tenant protection processes, resources, and education Long
• Implement affordable housing policy
• Increase affordable housing units
• Ensure permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness coming from Long Beach by attaching project-based vouchers to current Homekey sites
• Identify additional permanent supportive housing funding and implementation opportunities including Project Homekey.
Actions Taken in the Past Two Weeks
Over the past two weeks, the City emergency structure has taken several actions and below is a summary of the major items worked on. Supporting information is included in Attachment A.
Increase access to services
• Launched Text Alert Program to connect people experiencing homelessness to resources and services, those interested can text keyword “HOME” to 99411 to receive updates
• Information has been centralized on the emergency response on a newly created Homelessness Services Information Hub available at longbeach.gov/homelessness • Announced $200,000 in funding available from the homelessness response for prevention to fund additional Right to Counsel services Engage community in data and planning
• Announced survey seeking community members’ knowledge and perceptions of homelessness to garner feedback to further inform City resources, services, and response efforts. Survey can be accessed at longbeach.gov/homelessness
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2023
• Supported four Mayor’s Community Partner Roundtables with three remaining in the upcoming weeks
• Confirmed data refresh interval for Homeless Dashboard will be the first Thursday of every month
• Completed community engagement around RV Sanitation and Water Filling site Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Met with LA County, LAHSA, and Metro to discuss opportunities to develop homeless services and resources along the A line
• Hosted first donation drive-thru event
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Winter Shelter operations at Community Hospital were extended through April 30 • MSC Warming Center continues to be open for overnight shelter from rain and cold • Safe Parking program opened at Queens Way that allows people living in their vehicles to park overnight with access to restrooms, security, and case management.
The site will operate daily from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. with capacity of 50 passenger vehicles Focus Areas for the Next Two Weeks
Staff will provide an oral report on April 4, 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 RV Sanitation and Water Filling Site
• Continue partnership conversations with LA County Department of Health Services and LAHSA
Engage community in data and planning
• Complete remaining three Mayor’s Community Partner Roundtables and aggregate the data. These meetings are focused on 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 the City who are committed to supporting the efforts of not only the emergency response, but ongoing after the emergency has been lifted
• Add additional data elements for the emergency to the data dashboard • Host second drive-thru donation event at Main Health Department (2525 Grand Ave.) on April 29th from 9 am to 1 pm
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2023
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Present utilization of $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
• Engage with consultants to identify grants to support efforts • Continue to engage LA County on request to support emergency activities Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Continue to conduct enhanced engagement with housing providers to boost participation in Emergency 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 location for when the winter shelter program ends • Continue evaluating other properties citywide (both public and private) that could be temporarily used or acquired to further support homeless services housing opportunities
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani and Recovery Budget Officer Dee Okam on March 30, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 4, 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 week s, 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 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.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 2023
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER
Attachment: A – Supporting Documentation on Actions Taken in the Past Two Weeks
3/30/23, 10:55 AM Long Beach Launches Text Alert Program to Connect People Experiencing Homelessness to Resources and Services https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-launches-text-alert-program-to-connect-people-experiencing-homelessness-to-resources-and-services/ 1/2
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 032723
3/27/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach, as part of its emergency response to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness, has launched the Long Beach Homelessness Text Alert program to connect residents who are unhoused with housing and support services and other resources. The new communications method will enhance the City’s existing outreach by providing timely updates directly to people needing the services. “People experiencing homelessness are often on the move, and rely on their cell phone for information,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This text alert program will lower barriers to providing people with real-time information and access to resources.” The Long Beach Homelessness Text Alert program will provide a variety of updates including:
Operations updates for City-run services, such as the weekly schedule for the Mobile Access Center (MAC), additional services from partnering agencies available at the Multi-Service Center (MSC), and service capacity updates with alternative options, among others.
How to sign up for programs such as Safe Parking or emergency shelters.
Alerts for dangerous or inclement weather.
Those interested in signing up to receive text notifications can text keyword “HOME” to 99411.
People interested in receiving updates must opt-in and can opt-out at any time. Standard messaging rates apply. City staff will promote this feature during intake at the MAC and MSC and while conducting street outreach so that people who can benefit from this are aware of it.
Research indicates a significant number of people experiencing homelessness have cell phones.
This additional method of outreach will increase the City’s direct access to these individuals and connect even more to housing and support services.
Long Beach Launches Text Alert Program to Connect People Experiencing Homelessness to Resources and Services
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
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ATTACHMENT A
3/30/23, 10:55 AM Long Beach Launches Text Alert Program to Connect People Experiencing Homelessness to Resources and Services https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beach-launches-text-alert-program-to-connect-people-experiencing-homelessness-to-resources-and-services/ 2/2 For more information on the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept 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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
3/30/23, 10:55 AM City of Long Beach Extends Winter Shelter Operations Through April 30 https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-extends-winter-shelter-operations-through-april-30/ 1/2
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 032423-2
3/24/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach is extending operations of its Winter Shelter, which shields people experiencing homelessness from inclement weather during the coldest time of the year by providing shelter, food, safety and connections to resources and services. The Long Beach Winter Shelter was originally scheduled to conclude operations on March 31; however, as a humanitarian effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness during the ongoing cold, wet winter weather, the City has extended operations through April 30. "With the unprecedented amount of rain and extremely cold temperatures, people experiencing homelessness have endured unusually harsh elements this winter,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The extension of our Winter Shelter will continue to provide a warm place for people to rest with safety and dignity. This is a much-needed asset for these community members, and I am grateful for the support we’ve received for this extension.”
Since beginning operations in mid-December, the Winter Shelter, which can accommodate 81 people a night, has provided shelter to 217 people and has been consistently at full capacity each night.
Prior to extending shelter operations, City staff, in partnership with Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan, hosted a community meeting at Brewitt Neighborhood Library on March 9 to discuss plans for the extension with residents ahead of time and offer an opportunity for people to ask questions.
"The Winter Shelter is a critical resource for people experiencing homelessness,” said Third District Councilmember Kristina Duggan. “Many people have utilized this shelter so far this year – some who have been there nightly since December. I am pleased it will continue operations through April so even more people can rest comfortably at night.” City of Long Beach Extends Winter Shelter Operations Through April 30 City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
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3/30/23, 10:55 AM City of Long Beach Extends Winter Shelter Operations Through April 30 https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-extends-winter-shelter-operations-through-april-30/ 2/2 Located this year at Community Hospital in East Long Beach, the Long Beach Winter Shelter is accessible only for program participants via the Winter Shelter bus, which makes daily pick-ups at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center (MSC) in the early evening and provides transportation back to the MSC (1301 W. 12th St.) in the mornings. The Winter Shelter operates 24 hours a day in partnership with nonprofit First to Serve Outreach Ministries and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
Required in order to extend shelter operations was an amended lease agreement between the City and MWN Community Hospital LLC, which owns building. The extended lease agreement was authorized by the City Manager, permissible under the City’s homelessness emergency proclamation. The extended lease agreement permits the use of Community Hospital to serve as the Winter Shelter location through April 30.
The City continues work to identify another location to offer at least as many beds as available at the current Winter Shelter location so that it can continue to provide these services after April 30.
Additionally, in effort to offer more safe, warm space during the winter months, on Feb. 26 the City began utilizing the MSC to house 60 warming beds to protect people experiencing homelessness from the unusually low temperatures. The warming beds have continued to be available on select nights, typically when there is forecasted rain or temperatures below 45 degrees, and on a first- come, first-served basis. Approximately 40 to 50 people utilize the warming beds each night.
For more information about the Winter Shelter, people can call the Multi-Service Center at 562.570.4500 or review the FAQs.
For more information on the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept 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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
3/17/23, 2:21 PM City Opens Additional Safe Overnight Parking Lot for People Sheltered in Automobiles https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-opens-additional-safe-overnight-parking-lot-for-people-sheltered-in-automobiles/ 1/2
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 031723-2
3/17/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach is expanding its Safe Parking Program, which provides a safe, dignified environment for people currently sheltering in their vehicles to park overnight while receiving access to basic needs and being connected to services. “People in our community whose only source of shelter is their vehicle have a critical need for a safe space to park overnight,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By opening this additional Safe Parking lot, we are more than tripling our capacity and creating new opportunities to connect more people with vital resources and services.”
Beginning Monday, March 20, this site, located in an underutilized parking lot on Queens Way, will be open daily from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and will have space for approximately 50 passenger vehicles.
The lot will not be open during the day. Safe Parking program participants will have access to various amenities and resources at this new site, including a pet relief area, restrooms and hand washing stations. The site is anticipated to operate through Sunday, May 21.
The location will not impact ongoing repairs for the Queen Mary, and will not impact operations, special events or nearby businesses. Outreach was conducted to businesses within the area to ensure they were notified of the forthcoming operations and business resources available to them.
More information is available in the FAQs.
The location will also provide two security guards and Homeless Services Bureau staff on site who will connect clients with services and offer housing-focused case management. People interested in participating in the program must first receive a referral from the Multi-Service Center (MSC), located at 1301 W. 12th St., or through outreach, including the Mobile Access Center.
City of Long Beach to Open Additional Safe Overnight Parking Lot for People Sheltered in Automobiles
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
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3/17/23, 2:21 PM City Opens Additional Safe Overnight Parking Lot for People Sheltered in Automobiles https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-opens-additional-safe-overnight-parking-lot-for-people-sheltered-in-automobiles/ 2/2 “This site will be an important asset in the City’s homelessness emergency response and provide enough space to significantly expand the program,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “I want to thank the Homeless Services Bureau staff for their work in linking participants with services and options for more stable housing.”
As of the 2022 Point in Time Count, 480 people were sheltered in their vehicles. Outreach workers report that safety is a common concern among people who sleep in their vehicles, therefore bringing more people into the Safe Parking program is a vital step in increasing safety, building trust and, ultimately, offering services that lead to long term or permanent housing. The City’s Safe Parking program currently offers 15 overnight parking spaces at the MSC. With this additional site, the Safe Parking program will have the capacity to reach 14% of people who are sheltered in vehicles in Long Beach, quadrupling the program’s current capacity.
Long Beach City College also provides safe parking on campus, available for students only.
The Long Beach Winter Shelter at Community Hospital will continue operations through April 30.
The facility, which holds 81 beds, began operations in late December 2022 and is operated in partnership with nonprofit First to Serve Outreach Ministries and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
For more information on the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept 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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
REQUEST TO ADD AGENDA ITEM
Date: April 14, 2023
To: Monique De La Garza, City Clerk
From: Thomas B. Modica, City Manager
Subject: Request to Add Agenda Item to Council Agenda of April 18, 2023
Pursuant to Municipal Code Se ction 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 prop erty 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)
3 Kristina Duggan (Digital – attached email)
5 Megan Kerr (Digital – attached email