:
A
ugust 8, 2023
HO
NORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
City of Long Beach
California
RE
COMMENDATION:
Cont
inue 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 R
eceive and file an update on the emergency proclamation and associated activities and provide any additional direction to City staff regarding the emergency. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
T
he 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, enhanced the 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.
T
he City continues to have 3,447 people experiencing homelessness throughout Long Beach, which is a 4.6 percent increase from 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 pr ovide approximately 1,300 interim shelter 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-42
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
August 8, 2023
Proclamation 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. The local emergency is required to be reviewed every thirty (30) 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.
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 Strategic Plan 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 Four Weeks:
In the past four 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
• The Mobile Access Center (MAC) schedule for August was released and will operate Monday through Friday with varied hours and locations.
• Staff continue to provide case management services at the Queensway Safe Parking program Monday through Friday from 5-8 pm.
• On July 29
th, the City hosted it’s fifth Donation Drive located at the Health Department for the Multi Service Center (MSC).
• Convened a subgroup of the Interdepartmental Team to address the specific needs for outreach and cleanup around high priority parks and libraries experiencing significant impacts.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
August 8, 2023
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Refreshed data on Homelessness Emergency Dashboard and include PIT Count Data on August 3rd.
• Increased outreach with the Interdepartmental team to the downtown area, focusing on various cleanups and outreach with LA County Public Works. • Interdepartmental team continue to collect data focused on coordinated outreach and participation of other agencies.
• The Community Partnership Work Group and Community Engagement Work Group updated the City’s Resource Guide and worked to categorize the areas of focus for the Community Champions.
• On August 1st, LA River emergency action cleanup began from Ocean to Pacific Coast Highway.
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• The Intergovernmental Work Group has continued to research strategies and recommendations for homelessness prevention policies and programs.
Focus Areas for the Next Four Weeks
Staff will provide an oral report to City Council on August 8, 2023, focusing on activities of the next four weeks that contribute to the progress of the short and medium-term goals. Topics will include:
Increase access to services
• Launch the second Mobile Access Center (MAC) by mid to late August. • Continue partnership conversations with Health Services Los Angeles County and Los Angeles Homelessness Services Authority.
• Staff continue to provide case management services at the Queensway Safe Parking program Monday through Friday from 5-8 pm.
• Housing Authority will continue working to update its Housing Choice Voucher List • Coordinate outreach to RV's
• On August 16
th, outreach and engagement after hours at parks with highest impacts will begin
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
August 8, 2023
• Complete and launch a timeline of the emergency to be posted on the website to further educate people to the work of the emergency.
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• The Community Partnerships Workgroup will convene a larger meeting in October to connect and brainstorm with Community Champions who are supporting homeless related services across the City.
• Finalizing Luxury Inn outreach and data collection plan; initiating outreach. • Continue evaluating Port of Long Beach and other properties that can support additional homelessness services.
• Continue to work to commence construction activities on City-led capital improvements at the Multi-Service Center (Tiny Homes), Navigation Center, Best Western, and Luxury Inn.
• Continue researching policies related to preventing homelessness, coordinating with the appropriate subject matter experts, and drafting policy considerations.
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Finalize contracts with Rescue Mission for the 702 W Anaheim Site for the interim shelter.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on August 2, 2023, and by Recovery Budget Officer Dee Okam on August 3, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 8, 2023 , in accordance with the Long Beach Municipal Code requirements for the review of the local emergency . In order to report back within 30 days and to allow time for updates with the actions within the review period, the item will generally be released on t he 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. A s 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
August 8, 2023
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER
Attachments: A – Supporting Documentation on Actions Taken in the Past Four Weeks
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 073123
7/31/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach will continue to deploy its Mobile Access Center (MAC) in select Long Beach areas weekdays throughout August. The MAC significantly lowers barriers to providing case management services and other resources for people experiencing homelessness, as it allows the City’s Homeless Services Bureau outreach staff to conduct meaningful engagement and relationship building and start the intake process right on the street.
Beginning Monday, July 31, the MAC will be stationed at the following locations from 9 a.m. to noon:
Mondays – Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.) parking lot.
Tuesdays – Christian Outreach in Action (515 E. 3rd St.), parked on Linden Avenue.
Wednesdays – Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway), Pacific Avenue side of Library.
Thursdays – Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields (903-999 Fairbanks Ave.). Van will be parked facing Los Angeles River near the parking lot located on De Forest Avenue just south of the soccer fields.
Fridays – Alamitos Beach Parking Lot near the south end of the parking lot, at Shoreline Drive and Beach Access Road.
Also beginning Monday, July 31, the MAC will be stationed from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the locations below:
Mondays – Traffic Circle, in the area of Ximeno Avenue and East Atherton Street. Van will be parked on Ximeno Avenue.
Tuesdays – Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), Atlantic Avenue side of the park.
Wednesdays – 6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, on 6th Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Elm Avenue.
Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center Continues Homeless Services Outreach Throughout August City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Select Language
▼ ATTACHMENT A
In July, the MAC encountered and offered services to 268 people who are experiencing homelessness.
To date, the MAC has 1,834 recorded engagements with people experiencing homelessness, and of those engagements, services have been provided to 1,049 people, including referral and transport to shelter, enrollment into the homeless services system, connections to community resources and basic services.
The second MAC vehicle is expected to begin operations mid-to-late August.
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.
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 071823
7/18/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – On Saturday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the City of Long Beach will host its fifth donation drive thru to collect essential items to distribute to people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. The event will take place at the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Main Facilities Center, located at 2525 Grand Ave. Donations received during the event will be distributed at the Multi-Service Center (MSC) to people experiencing homelessness and will also be available to local partner organizations to distribute. “With the extreme heat and harsh UV rays, providing items to help protect people from sun exposure, dehydration and overheating are essential this time of year,’’ said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We encourage people who are able to contribute needed items to do so by participating in this drive thru event or dropping items off at one of our donation boxes.” As the hot summer weather continues, sun and heat protection items such as sunscreen, hats, protective sunshades/umbrellas, lip balm, cooling towels and reusable water bottles are in need.
Hygiene kits, first aid kits, disposable power banks, dry antibacterial shampoo and warm-weather clothing items like shirts, shorts, socks and shoes are also in high need this month. The City welcomes any of the following items for contribution:
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.
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.
Long Beach to Host Fifth Donation Drive Thru Event Saturday, July 29 City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Select Language
▼
Food items like canned food (and small, manual can openers), bottled drinks like juices or water, and 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 MSC. To schedule a drop-off time, people can call 562.570.4586.
Since launching donation efforts in late February 2023, the City has collected approximately 15,700 items generously donated by community members, including over 7,000 items during the City’s first four donation drive thru events, nearly 6,000 from drop-off bins available at Long Beach Public Library branches and other locations, and over 2,600 donations contributed through other avenues. More than half of these items have been distributed to the MSC and community organizations.
Local organizations that support people experiencing homelessness and are interested in receiving donations to support their organization’s mission are encouraged to submit a donation request form based on their charitable outreach needs.
More information on how community members can get involved is available on the Volunteer, Donate and Get Involved tab at longbeach.gov/homelessness.
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 are available at all drop off locations.
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.
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
Press Release # 071723-2
7/17/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach is recruiting residents who are currently or were previously experiencing homelessness to participate in the new Lived Experience Advisory Board, a paid committee that will provide valuable feedback on homeless services in Long Beach. Applications are available now and will remain open until the 11 committee spots are filled. “We are committed to providing services and resources that have proven to make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness here in Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Through the Lived Experience Advisory Board, we’re offering an opportunity for people to share their personal experience utilizing our services – both the positive and the challenges – to help further our homeless services efforts and ultimately make life-changing impacts for others in need of assistance.” By participating in the Lived Experience Advisory Board, committee members will provide insight into the development and proposal of new Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC) and Long Beach Homeless Services Bureau policies, provide feedback on requested reports, and review proposed CoC policies and procedures before they are presented to the CoC board for approval, among other responsibilities. Committee members will receive a monthly salary stipend and transportation stipend, as well as reimbursement for any childcare costs incurred.
Eligible people interested in participating may complete an interest form at the City's Multi-Service Center (1301 W. 12st St.), Mobile Access Center, or through a participating service provider. People may also apply via an online form available on the Volunteer, Donate and Get Involved tab at longbeach.gov/homelessness.
City of Long Beach Now Accepting Applications for New Lived Experience Advisory Board Residents who are currently or previously have experienced homelessness in Long Beach are encouraged to apply
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Select Language
▼
“There is no one size fits all approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness. In order to ensure we’re meeting the multi-faceted needs of people experiencing homelessness here in Long Beach, we must center first-hand experiences and perspectives,” said Director of Health and Human Services Kelly Colopy. “I encourage eligible people to share their lived experience and help us support other people experiencing homelessness by serving on this advisory board.” The Lived Experience Advisory Board is being funded by the Long Beach Homeless Services Bureau utilizing Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding received from the State of California. The recruitment for the advisory board was approved by the CoC Board on July 11, 2023.
The advisory board aligns with goals identified under the City’s local homelessness emergency proclamation to ensure that equity and the voices of those most impacted are being centered in the City response efforts.
Questions about the Lived Experience Advisory Board may be directed to the City's Homeless Services Bureau staff at [email protected].
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.