:
May 16, 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 3,447 people experiencing homelessness throughout Long Beach, which is a 4.6 percent increase fro m 2022, the smallest increase Long Beach has reported since 2019. For reference, homelessness increased 7 percent from 2019 to 2020, and increased from 62 percent from 2020 to 2022 (the 2021 Count was canceled due to the pandemic). Of these 3,447 people, 2,456 are unsheltered. The City and local community - based organizations provide approximately 1,300 interim s helter beds, and most of these shelters are operating at capacity, leaving few options for those currently without shelter.
Office of the City Manager
411 West Ocean Boulevard, 10th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 570-6711
NB-18
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 16, 2023
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 loc al 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.
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.
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
• Working on identifying alternate sites for Safe Parking after Queensway ends on May 21st
• Housing Authority is working to update its Housing Choice Voucher List.
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Refreshed Homelessness Dashboard data on May 4. Restructured dashboard to incorporate the Point in Time Count, prevention, and outcomes data. • Received over 800 donated items at the second drive thru donation event held on April 29th
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Met with Big City Mayors to learn more about the Senate’s proposed budget, which proposes to create an ongoing funding source for the HHAP program totaling $1 billion annually.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 16, 2023
• Engaged with consultants to identify grants to support efforts
Focus Areas for the Next Two Weeks
Staff will provide an oral report on May 16, 2023, on some of the area s of focus for the next two weeks that contribute to the progress of the short-term goals. Topics will include:
Increase access to services
• Continue partnership conversations with LA County Department of Health Services and LAHSA
• Increase outreach and education regarding availability of the RV Sanitation and Water Filling site
• Finalize location for an alternative Safe Parking site after Queensway ends on May 21st
• Housing Authority will continue to work to update its Housing Choice Voucher List.
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• 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
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Continue evaluating potential Airport and Port of Long Beach properties that can support additional homelessness services
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Continue to conduct enhanced engagement with housing providers to boost housing access
• Working to identify a long-term emergency shelter site • Reviewing sites for a potential Project Homekey application
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani and Recovery Budget Officer Dee Okam on May 10, 2023 .
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 16, 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
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 16, 2023
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 d uties 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,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER
Attachments: A – Supporting Documentation on Actions Taken in the Past Two Weeks
562.570.6801 — [email protected] — @longbeachmayor
411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, California 90802
May 1, 2023
The Honorable Reggie Jones-Sawyer
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 5210
Sacramento, CA 94249
RE: Support for AB 1734 (Jones-Sawyer)—Local Government: Surplus Land
Dear Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer,
On behalf of the City of Long Beach, I write in support of AB 1734. This bill would expand the definition of exempt surplus land to include land that is disposed of by certain local agencies for emergency shelters, supportive housing, transitional housing, or affordable housing. AB 1734 would help the City facilitate the development of interim housing for people experiencing homelessness.
In an effort to address homelessness in recent years, the City has added more than 530 new interim housing units and nearly 600 new affordable housing units , opened the first year -round bridge housing facility, secured four hotels for interim housing, and purchased more than 30 modular shelter units. The City is also strengthening strategic partnerships with educational institutions to support housing production and add to Long Beach’s housing stock for students, families, teachers , and education staff—through the program known as the Long Beach Housing Promise.
Despite historic investments in prevention, housing, outreach, and other solutions, we have continued to see people fall into homelessness. On January 10, 2023, the City declared an emergency on homelessness, whi ch expedites the permitting and review process for development projects related to addressing homelessness, including but not limited to emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, and affordable housing. A B 1734 will strengthen the City’s capacity to address the homelessness crisis by providing additional pathways for interim housing development.
For these reasons, the City supports AB 1734.
Sincerely,
Mayor Rex Richardson
City of Long Beach
cc: The Honorable Lena Gonzalez, State Senate, 33rd District The Honorable Mike Gipson, State Assembly, 65th District The Honorable Josh Lowenthal, State Assembly, 69th District
ATTACHMENT A
5/4/23, 1:23 PM City of Long Beach Opens Temporary Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-opens-temporary-emergency-shelter-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/ 1/2
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 042823
4/28/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has opened a temporary emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The new emergency shelter opened on April 27 and holds more than 85 beds, offers a variety of onsite amenities and access to services, and will serve as a critical resource moving forward after the Community Hospital Winter Shelter concludes operations today, per the lease agreement.
In order to access emergency shelter services, people will first need a referral from the Multi-Service Center (MSC) or Mobile Access Center (MAC) in order to access the shelter. Participants will be able to access the Emergency Shelter via the shuttle bus, which will make daily pick-ups at the MSC (1301 W. 12th St.) in the mornings and will return people to the shelter in the evenings. Prior to concluding operations, existing Winter Shelter participants were notified of their opportunity to receive priority placement at the emergency shelter and 55 people accepted.
In addition to amenities including three meals per day, onsite showers and restrooms, an enclosed outdoor area and space for service animals and pets under 30 pounds, shelter participants will also have access to a variety of services, including housing-focused case management, screening for housing programs, referrals to year-round shelter programs, assistance obtaining identification and documents and connections to behavioral health resources. The nonprofit organization First to Serve Outreach Ministries will manage the shelter’s day-to-day operations.
The emergency shelter is located at 702 W. Anaheim St. and will operate for a period of three months, now through July 28, 2023, with the possibility for services to be extended at the site in the future. The City first announced the shelter’s anticipated operations earlier this month.
City of Long Beach Opens Temporary Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Select Language
▼
5/4/23, 1:23 PM City of Long Beach Opens Temporary Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-opens-temporary-emergency-shelter-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/ 2/2 More information about the emergency shelter is available on the FAQs, with additional information about other shelter beds and interim housing offered by the City and its partners at longbeach.gov/homelessness/homeless-services.
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.
Media inquiries may be directed to the 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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
5/4/23, 1:23 PM Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center to Continue Homeless Services Outreach Throughout May https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beachs-mobile-access-center-to-continue-homeless-services-outreach-throughout-may/ 1/2
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 042823-2
4/28/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach will continue to deploy its Mobile Access Center (MAC) in select areas throughout May. Additionally starting in May, the MAC will be deployed during the afternoon on select days to allow outreach staff to engage with more individuals and follow up with existing clients.
Beginning Monday, May 1, the MAC will be stationed at the following locations from 9 a.m. to noon:
Mondays – North Los Altos Shopping Center, parking lot northeast 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 – Drake Park (951 Maine Ave.), parking lot.
Fridays – Granada Beach Parking Lot near Rosie’s Dog Beach, area of E. Ocean Boulevard and Granada Avenue.
The MAC will also be deployed from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the locations listed below:
Mondays – Ximeno Avenue near Traffic Circle
Tuesdays – Ramona Park (3301 E. 65th St.)
Wednesdays – 6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, on 6th Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Elm Avenue.
To date, the MAC has over 900 recorded engagements with people experiencing homelessness, and of those engagements, services have been provided to more than 500 people, including referral and transport to shelter, enrollment into the homeless services system, connections to community resources and basic medical services.
Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center to Continue Homeless Services Outreach Throughout May City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Select Language
▼
5/4/23, 1:23 PM Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center to Continue Homeless Services Outreach Throughout May https://longbeach.gov/press-releases/long-beachs-mobile-access-center-to-continue-homeless-services-outreach-throughout-may/ 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.
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, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
REQUEST TO ADD AGENDA ITEM
Date: May 12, 2023
To: Monique De La Garza, City Clerk
From: Thomas B. Modica, City Manager
Subject: Request to Add Agenda Item to Council Agenda of May 16, 2023
Pursuant to Municipal Code Secti on 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 propert y 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
1 April Walker
From: Lynn Ward
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 11:34 AM
To: Robert Allarte; Rahul Sen; April Walker; Connor Lock Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs
Subject: Re: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) - Homelessness Emergency Updates Confirming for councilwoman Zendejas.
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From: Robert Allarte <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:58:13 AM
To: Rahul Sen <[email protected]>; April Walker <[email protected]>; Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Connor Lock <[email protected]> Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs <[email protected]> Subject: Re: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) ‐ Homelessness Emergency Updates
Good Morning April,
Confirming for Councilwoman Kerr.
Thank you,
Robert Allarte
Chief of Staff
Office of Councilwoman Megan Kerr
411 W Ocean Blvd, 11th Fl. | Long Beach, CA 90802
Office: 562-570-5555 | [email protected]
From: Rahul Sen <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:44:10 AM
To: April Walker <[email protected]>; Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Connor Lock <[email protected]>; Robert Allarte <[email protected]> Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs <[email protected]> Subject: RE: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) ‐ Homelessness Emergency Updates
Good Morning April,
Vice Mayor Allen will sign on to the supplemental
form for this item.
Best,
Rahul Sen
Policy Director
Office of Vice Mayor Cindy Allen
411 West Ocean Blvd, 11th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570‐6849
2 From: April Walker <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:00 AM
To: Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Rahul Sen <[email protected]>; Connor Lock <[email protected]>; Robert Allarte <[email protected]> Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs <[email protected]> Subject: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) ‐ Homelessness Emergency Updates Importance: High
Good morning -
The City Manager’s Office would like to add on an item to the May 16th Supplemental agenda (due to the Clerk today at noon), related to the following:
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)
We are hoping that your Council Office will be a signatory for the DRAFT attached item. This letter is with Tom for review and we will get you the final version. I hope this advanced notice will allow you to review now for signatory consideration. I will follow up if any changes have been made (since these are bi-weekly we do not typically see any substantive changes with Tom’s review).
If you have any challenges obtaining approval from your member, please let me know and I’ll work with another office.
As always, we appreciated your attention and response to this request.
April Walker
Administrative Deputy City Manager
Office of the City Manager
411 West Ocean Blvd., 10th Floor | Long Beach, CA 90802 Office: 562.570.6561
My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.
1 April Walker
From: Rahul Sen
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:44 AM
To: April Walker; Lynn Ward; Connor Lock; Robert Allarte Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs
Subject: RE: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) - Homelessness Emergency Updates Good Morning April,
Vice Mayor Allen will sign on to the supplemental form for this item.
Best,
Rahul Sen
Policy Director
Office of Vice Mayor Cindy Allen
411 West Ocean Blvd, 11th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570‐6849
From: April Walker <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:00 AM
To: Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Rahul Sen <[email protected]>; Connor Lock <[email protected]>; Robert Allarte <[email protected]> Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs <[email protected]> Subject: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) ‐ Homelessness Emergency Updates Importance: High
Good morning -
The City Manager’s Office would like to add on an item to the May 16 th Supplemental agenda (due to the Clerk
today at noon), related to the following:
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)
We are hoping that your Council Office will be a signatory for the DRAFT attached item. This letter is with Tom for review and we will get you the final version. I hope this advanced notice will allow you to review now for signatory consideration. I will follow up if any changes have been made (since these are bi-weekly we do not typically see any substantive changes with Tom’s review).
If you have any challenges obtaining approval from your member, please let me know and I’ll work with another office.
2 As always, we appreciated your attention and response to this request.
April Walker
Administrative Deputy City Manager
Office of the City Manager
411 West Ocean Blvd., 10th Floor | Long Beach, CA 90802 Office: 562.570.6561
My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.
1 April Walker
From: Robert Allarte
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:58 AM
To: Rahul Sen; April Walker; Lynn Ward; Connor Lock
Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs
Subject: Re: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) - Homelessness Emergency Updates Good Morning April,
Confirming for Councilwoman Kerr.
Thank you,
Robert Allarte
Chief of Staff
Office of Councilwoman Megan Kerr
411 W Ocean Blvd, 11th Fl. | Long Beach, CA 90802
Office: 562-570-5555 | [email protected]
From: Rahul Sen <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:44:10 AM
To: April Walker <[email protected]>; Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Connor Lock <[email protected]>; Robert Allarte <[email protected]> Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs <[email protected]> Subject: RE: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) ‐ Homelessness Emergency Updates
Good Morning April,
Vice Mayor Allen will sign on to the supplemental
form for this item.
Best,
Rahul Sen
Policy Director
Office of Vice Mayor Cindy Allen
411 West Ocean Blvd, 11th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570‐6849
From: April Walker <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:00 AM
To: Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Rahul Sen <[email protected]>; Connor Lock <[email protected]>; Robert Allarte <[email protected]> Cc: Agenda_Supporting_Docs <[email protected]> Subject: SUPPLEMENTAL SIGN ON (3 Signatures Needed) ‐ Homelessness Emergency Updates Importance: High
Good morning -
2 The City Manager’s Office would like to add on an item to the May 16th Supplemental agenda (due to the Clerk today at noon), related to the following:
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)
We are hoping that your Council Office will be a signatory for the DRAFT attached item. This letter is with Tom for review and we will get you the final version. I hope this advanced notice will allow you to review now for signatory consideration. I will follow up if any changes have been made (since these are bi-weekly we do not typically see any substantive changes with Tom’s review).
If you have any challenges obtaining approval from your member, please let me know and I’ll work with another office.
As always, we appreciated your attention and response to this request.
April Walker
Administrative Deputy City Manager
Office of the City Manager
411 West Ocean Blvd., 10th Floor | Long Beach, CA 90802 Office: 562.570.6561
My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.