Emergency Proclamation to Address Homelessness
Update 11
City Council Meeting – June 6, 2023
Mission Statement
To reduce the number of persons experiencing homelessness in the City and the region by increasing housing opportunities and by enhancing current initiatives that provide field-based outreach, engagement, and supportive services while maintaining the safety and security of the people experiencing homelessness, the general public and staff, and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
2 Homelessness Strategic Plan
• The Statement of Possibility from the
Everyone Home Homelessness Strategic
Plan continues to define success in Long
Beach in its mission to end homelessness.
• Statement of Possibility: The experience of
homelessness in Long Beach is rare and
brief when it occurs.
3 Project Homekey and Homelessness
Response Projects Status
4 Project Homekey & Homelessness Response Projects
Site Project Scope Interim
Housing Beds
Former Luxury Inn
Acquisition and conversion of the Luxury Inn to non-
congregate interim housing 78
Former Best Western*
Common area upgrades of existing Project Homekey
facility to improve supportive service provision 99
Youth Navigation Center
Conversion of warehouse space to homeless services
space, including 12 youth shelter beds and safe property storage facilities 12
MSC Tiny Homes
Purchase and installation of modular non-congregate
shelter units (i.e., “Tiny Homes”) for interim housing use at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center, along with site improvements 33
Total Beds 222
5 *Site currently operating
Luxury Inn Conversion
6 The Luxury Inn at 5950 Long Beach
Blvd. will have 78 rooms for interim
housing. The renovations include:
• New decorative perimeter fencing and
replacement of existing planter railing with
decorative railing.
• Exterior painting, new doors, and new fire
sprinkler and alarm system.
• Accessible improvements for parking and
in rooms.
• Renovated rooms will receive new
bathrooms with water efficient toilets and
sinks.
• New energy efficient LED lighting, flooring
and painting will give the rooms a refresh.
• New pet area.
• A new modular trailer will be located at
the site to house case management and
other support staff.
Luxury Inn
Existing Conditions
7 Luxury Inn
8 Luxury Inn
9 Programming
10 • Community outreach and engagement plan has been prepared, and isunderway • The Former Luxury Inn site will provide non-congregate temporary housing with on-site supportive services, including a private room and bathroom for all participants • Program will serve adults experiencing homelessness, prioritizing those experiencing chronic homelessness, who are being connected with permanent housing resources • All participants will be assessed and referred through the Coordinated Entry System • Interim Housing Operations and Supportive Services will be provided by First to Serve Ministries, Inc.
• On-site supportive services will include individualized case management, meals, transportation, and linkages to physical and mental health care, substance use disorder services, employment training, benefits enrollment
• Location will be supervised with security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Former Best Western Upgrades
11 The Best Western at 1725 Long Beach
Blvd. has 99 rooms for interim housing.
The project renovations include:
• Reconfigurations to the lobby and surrounding 1st
floor areas to better accommodate facility
operations.
• Common areas that previously served as a dining
area, a fitness center, and a front desk for the hotel
will be converted to offices for caseworkers, a
nurse, and other on-site support staff.
• Select rooms on the 2nd floor will be converted to a
resident’s lounge and additional staff working
space.
• New flooring, paint, energy efficient light fixtures
throughout hallways and common spaces.
• Improved accessibility from the street.
• Exterior improvements include demolition of the
existing pool and converting the space into a new
outdoor community space for residents.
• Updated fire alarm system.
Best Western
Existing Conditions
12 Best Western
13 Best Western
14 Best Western
15 Programming
16 • The Project Homekey (former Best Western) site provides non-congregate temporary housing with on-site supportive services
o Site was purchased and converted through Homekey Program Round 1, opening for operations in March 2021
• Improvements will enhance supportive services by creating case management and administrative office space, improved communal areas and outdoor space, and crucial facility maintenance
• Program serves adults experiencing homelessness, prioritizing those experiencing chronic homelessness, who are being connected with permanent housing resources • On-site supportive services include individualized case management, meals, transportation, and linkages to physical and mental health care, substance use disorder services, employment training, benefits enrollment
• Location is supervised with security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Youth Navigation Center
17 The Navigation Center at 1718-1722
Hayes Ave. will have 12 beds and 59
storage lockers. The renovations
include:
• Renovation of an existing facility for youth
homeless services.
• Daily storage allows for participants to leave
belongings and go to work.
• New interior walls, doors, shower rooms,
remodel existing restrooms.
• New interior ceiling, energy efficient lighting,
upgraded power, and exterior painting.
• Storefront façade improvements with new
glazing, painting and other frontage
improvements.
• New roof and HVAC.
Navigation Center
18 Navigation Center
19 Navigation Center
20 Programming
21 • The Navigation Center will provide 12 congregate shelter beds for Transition Age Youth experiencing homelessness who are being connected with permanent housing options • The site is designed to have less beds to create an environment that is conducive and supportive of transitional aged youth and building a community of support • The Navigation Center will also provide storage lockers for use by all homeless services participants for safe storage of belongings while engaging in services at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center as well as other programming. Storage will be required to be renewed every 2 weeks
• Supportive services will include individualized case management, meals, and linkages to physical and mental health care, substance use disorder services, employment training, and benefits enrollment.
• Location will be supervised with staff and security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week MSC Tiny Homes
22 The Multi-Service Center – Tiny
Homes located at 1201 W. 12th
Street will have 27 standard studios
and 6 accessible studios. The
project will include:
• Utilizing the parking lot space to place the
modular units.
• Creating a space to house residents within a
tiny home village that will have a guard
station.
• Drought tolerant landscaping, exterior LED
lighting, and bicycle parking.
• The studios will have their own bathroom
and shower.
• Creative wayfinding will help identify the
spaces and locations for each unit.
Multi-Service Center – Tiny Homes
23 Site Plan
Multi-Service Center – Tiny Homes
24 Programming
25 • The MSC Tiny Homes will provide non-congregate temporary housing with on-site supportive services through the Long Beach Multi-Service Center • Program will serve adults experiencing homelessness, prioritizing those experiencing chronic homelessness, who are being connected with permanent housing resources • Each modular unit will have its own restroom and shower, HVAC, and fire sprinklers. Site amenities will include communal outdoor areas and seating, pet run, bike racks, lighting, and controlled entry.
• On-site supportive services include individualized case management, meals, transportation, medical clinic, and linkages to physical and mental health care, substance use disorder services, employment training, and benefits enrollment. • Location will be supervised with staff and security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Project Budget & Schedule
Project Homekey & Homelessness Response Projects
*Additional funding may be needed for capital improvements. Construction documents are being finalized.
Site Total Project Cost Target Construction Start
Luxury Inn $6,700,000 Summer 2023
Best Western $5,100,000 Summer 2023
Navigation Center $3,700,000 Summer 2023
MSC Tiny Homes $5,403,953 Summer 2023
TOTAL $20,903,953*
26 Actions Taken in the Past Two Weeks
27 Progress on Goals
Increase access to services
• During the week of June 5th, we plan to provide individuals using the Queensway Safe Parking site with an invitation to transition to the new site within the same vicinity.
• The Homeless Services Bureau is finalizing a plan to rollout the utilization of the 2nd MAC, however, needs to hire additional staff to have the 2nd MAC out on a full schedule.
• MAC: 1,278 engagements, 703 accepted services
• Multi Service Center: 18,016 visits, Avg. Daily Visits: 177 • Safe Parking: 933 Stays, Avg. 17 vehicles per night in June 28 Progress on Goals
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Worked to identify an ongoing emergency shelter site
• Worked to identify potential Homekey sites for state application • 100% utilization of Emergency Housing Vouchers
• Staff have begun planning process for implementing the process for getting people linked with the 80 stabilization vouchers received by HUD. Priority will be for people who were still holding EHVs at the time of full utilization 29 Progress on Goals
Engage Community in data, planning and assistance
• Continuing to explore translation options for Homelessness Dashboard • Scheduled for Thursday, June 22 the Interfaith Convening with faith-based organizations across the City who are committed to supporting the efforts of not only the emergency response, but ongoing after the emergency has been lifted 30 Progress on Goals
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• The Intergovernmental Work Group has identified leads to coordinate the various “policy pathways” and drafted a framework to guide the City’s work as it relates to prevention policy
• All Public Health Nurse positions within the Homeless Services Bureau have been filled
• Staff met with Governor Newsom's new Senior Advisor on Housing and Homelessness to discuss projects within Long Beach and advocate for additional support for projects from the state level.
31 Focus Areas for the Next Two Weeks
32 Focus For Next Two Weeks
Increase access to services
• Continue partnership conversations with LA County Department of Health Services and Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
• Increase outreach and education regarding availability of the RV Sanitation and Water Filling site
• Finalize location for an alternative Safe Parking site after the current Queensway site ends
• Housing Authority will continue to work to update its Housing Choice Voucher List 33 Focus For Next Two Weeks
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Next data dashboard update will be on Thursday June 8th • Numbers for collection of donated items and distribution. 13,270 items donated and 7,267 items distributed
34 Focus For Next Two Weeks
Build capacity to address the homeless crisis
• Continue evaluating Port of Long Beach and other properties that can support additional homeless services
• Continue to work to finalize plans and permitting to commence construction activities on City-led capital improvements at the Multi-Service Center (Tiny Homes), Navigation Center, Best Western, and Luxury Inn.
• Continue community outreach planning to engage community members about the mentioned capital improvement projects
• Collaborating with Long Beach education institutions to work toward convening of education institutions and ECE providers
35 Focus For Next Two Weeks
on Goals and Metrics
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Continue to conduct enhanced engagement with housing providers to boost housing access
• Work to identify a long-term emergency shelter site
• Connect with Faith Leaders at the Interfaith Convening about how they can potentially support interim and long-term housing opportunities. • Review sites for a potential Project Homekey application 36 Thank you
37 Teresa Chandler, Deputy City
Manager,
Office of the City Manager
Eric Lopez, Director
Department of Public Works