1 City Council Meeting – Sept 12, 2023
Emergency Proclamation to Address Homelessness
6 Month Report (Update #15)
2 Goals of the Emergency
Build overall capacity to improve our approach to this systemic societal problem Increase funding and resources available to implement new programs Speed up our overall response
Create longer-term goals and organizational structures to sustain work after the emergency
Housing
Behavioral
health
services
Prevention
3 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.
44 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.
5 Homelessness Emergency
Metrics
66 Homelessness Emergency Metrics
• Decrease number of persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness o More than 1,300 people enrolled in City interim housing programs during emergency; 494 currently enrolled
o Bed occupancy has been at 95% utilization since the proclamation, representing a slight increase from 2022 and significant increase from years prior • Increase permanent housing placements
o Number of people currently enrolled in permanent housing programs nearly doubled (165 to 323)
o 583 people permanently housed utilizing Emergency Housing Vouchers – 100% of voucher utilization
7 • Decrease number of persons falling into homelessness o Number of households receiving emergency rental assistance (289 households/$2.837 million to 345 households/$3.39 million)
o Nearly 2,500 people served by Right to Counsel through July 2023 o 371 people have participated in the Homeless Prevention Program (80 currently in program; 91% remain housed)
Homelessness Emergency Metrics
• Increase intergovernmental (regional) partnerships to address the homelessness crisis o 27 meetings held with partners
o 25 letters sent
o 43 agencies/offices engaged
8 • Increase outside aid through access to mental health and substance use beds o Implemented virtual mental health sessions, serving 32 people o Partnered with LAC DHS to provide health and mental health services o Provided mental health services through the REACH team o Strengthened inter-agency partnerships with local mental health organizations and hospitals to streamline discharge for individual’s exiting psychiatric hospital stays o Expanded mental health services to 5 days/week by partnering with the Black Health Equity Program
o Launching a new mental health and substance use treatment van (estimated launch in early 2024)
• Increase multi-departmental efforts to address violence on or perpetuated by people experience homelessness
o Mobilized to focus on downtown through the MAC and a Field Command Center, including Lincoln Park
8 Homelessness Emergency Metrics
9 • Increase speed of delivering critical projects addressing homelessness o Project approval: Reduced time to entitle an affordable housing project to 60 days from6-12 months pre-emergency
o NOFA Schedule: Release NOFAs on a 6-month schedule, every January and July, allowing affordable housing developers to plan accordingly and gain site control necessary for NOFA applications and expedited construction starts
o Interdepartmental coordination: DV and Health/HA meeting regularly to quickly coordinate funding/Project Based Voucher commitments so affordable housing developers can apply for state/federal funding and expedite construction
• Decrease number of persons that die in unsheltered situations o 50 unsheltered people died in the first half of 2023 compared to 42 people in 2022.
Preliminary data shows a likely increase in deaths related to drug poisoning and overdoses with a decrease in deaths from homicides/traumatic deaths • Decrease disproportionality in which Black, Indigenous and Pacific Islander persons experience homelessness
o Access, interim housing and permanent housing data and outcomes are showing increased equity, leading to reducing disproportionality in outcomes 9 Homelessness Emergency Metrics
10 Homelessness Emergency
Update on the Goals
11 Immediate (<3 months)
✓ 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 location
11 Multi Service Center:
25,088 Visits
Avg 180 people per day
Outreach Team:
Requests: 3,021
PEH Contacted: 2,494
Text Alerts:
15 messages reaching 320
people each
Safe Parking:
1,902 Stays
Avg 14 vehicles per night
Increase Access to Services
1212
Engagements from Jan. 10 – July:
• 1,650 people experiencing homelessness engaged with the MAC • Of those, services accepted by 989 people (60%) including referral and transport to shelter, enrollment into the homeless services system, connections to community resources and basic services
• Of those accepting services, 661 (67%) enrolled in case management with a goal of permanent housing
Mobile Access Center (MAC)
Mobile Access Center:
Engaged: 1,650
Services Accepted: 989
Enrollments: 661
Short Term (4 – 6 months)
✓ Provide business support services
✓ Increase access to mental health services
throughout Long Beach
• Open long-term safe parking and safe RV parking
✓ Initiate collaboration on better models for local
mental health services
13 Increase Access to Services
Mental Health Supports
Virtual sessions: 104
MSC Sessions: 148
PD Quality of Life Contacts:
6,231
Business Support:
$350,000 in Grants
People Enrolled in Outreach:
1,422
Services Documented
2,624
1414
Melissa Mojica – May 16, 2023 Hanna Stribling – May 23, 2023 Mental Health Services
15 Medium Term (6 – 24 months)
• Identify location and operational funding for a Recuperative Care site
o Applied for County funding. County determined they will be doing additional procurement processes and will
re-launch their process
• Collaborate with LA Metro hub to support referrals efforts and operational funding for Recuperative Care
o LA Metro hub conversations on hiatus
Long Term (24 months+)
• Identify and implement prevention strategy and investments o Received $1.25 million from Senator Gonzalez to increase prevention services
o Intergovernmental Team is developing a set of prevention strategies including policies and programs
15 Increase Access to Services
16 Immediate (<3 months)
✓ Open Winter Shelter
✓ Create Landlord education campaign and
outreach, including launch of outreach line
Short Term (4 – 6 months)
✓ Lease up all Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs)
✓ Identify and 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
16 Short-Term Warming Center:
60 Beds
Permanent Emergency Shelter:
85 Beds
Landlord Outreach Line:
2,486 Calls & Emails
Emergency Housing Vouchers:
100% Filled
Increase Interim and Long-term Housing Access
16 1717
Emergency Shelters
1818
Emergency Housing Vouchers
19 Medium Term (6 – 24 months)
• Open Former Luxury Inn site and Modular Units
o Planning and construction preparation taking place
• Initiate analysis and implement policy changes in zoning, affordable housing, and prevention effort
o The Department has initiated an "Omnibus Housing and Zoning Code Update" effort that will be released to the public in October and at City Council before the end of the calendar year
• Implement tenant protection processes, resources, and education o The City provided $1.5 million in funding for right to counsel in the FY24 budget
19 Increase Interim and Long-term Housing Access
20 Long Term (24+ months)
• Implement affordable housing policy
o The City continues to implement its certified housing element and to lead the region in new housing starts both affordable and market-rate • Increase affordable housing units
o An updated homelessness strategic plan will support existing efforts and plan to create 2,000 new units of PSH over the next 10 years • Ensure permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness coming from Long Beach by attaching project-based vouchers to current Homekey sites o Project-based vouchers being held for three current Homekey sites • Identify additional permanent supportive housing funding and implementation opportunities including Project Homekey
o Chose not to apply for last round of Homekey funding given lack of appropriate, affordable motels for the program
20 Increase Interim and Long-term Housing Access
21 City Staff Reassigned: 146
Reassigned Staffing:
25,032 Hours
Homeless Services:
48,252 Hours
Immediate (<3 months)
✓ Identify and apply for funding opportunities
✓ Identify specific roles and assistance from partner
agencies such as Harbor, Utilities, and Long Beach
Transit
✓ 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
Short Term (4 – 6 months)
✓ Identify and implement operational improvements
in staffing, funding, and processes
• Secure one-time Measure H/HHAP funding for local
investment
✓ Engage LACAHSA, the newly formed regional
agency for housing solutions, and secure
representation on the board
Build Capacity to Address Homelessness Crisis
22 Staffing
23 Medium Term (6 – 24 months)
• Collaborate with cities within the region to increase shelter and service opportunities
o Begun regional conversations with COG members on possible partnerships • Enhance LAHSA partnership to connect people coming into Long Beach from the region to regional services
• Secure one-time funding from intergovernmental efforts Long Term (24+ months)
• Work to change the Measure H/HHAP distributions to address equity concerns • Have access to significantly more housing opportunities 23 Build Capacity to Address Homelessness Crisis
2424
LA County Partnerships
Immediate (<3 months)
✓ Partner with the LA County DHS mobile health clinic with psychiatric services ✓ Increase coordination with LA County DMH HOME team to more quickly assess and support people that are exhibiting signs of grave disability
2525
LA County Partnerships
Short Term (4 – 6 months)
• Participate within the Countywide Housing and Homelessness Incentive Programs to better align health data with managed care plans and to increase housing • Enter into data MOUs with Healthnet, LA Care and SCAN around care coordination and data
Medium Term (7 – 24 months)
• Partnering in the conversion lease-up of the County Project Homekey sites • Integrating HMIS Systems with LAHSA, Glendale and Pasadena to better coordinate data
26 Immediate (<3 months)
✓ Launch dashboard featuring local data
✓ Implement community engagement and outreach
process
✓ Incorporate the City’s commitments for site selection into Homelessness Activation
✓ Launch a donation effort to collect materials and
engage the community
Short Term (4 – 6 months)
✓ Improve public access data
✓ Hold stakeholder meetings throughout Long Beach to
engage community in idea generation, prioritization,
and understanding
✓ Engage clergy and non-profits to bolster capacity
• Engage businesses in education and brainstorming
26 Engage Community in Data, Planning, and Assistance
Dashboard Elements:
56 Data Points
Outreach Events:
15 Events
408 Attendees
Donated Items:
15,664 items
10,758 distributed
Community Organizations:
76 signed up
2727
Community Outreach and Engagement
28 Interfaith Convening
2929
Donation Drive & Water Partnership
30 Medium Term (6 – 24 months)
• Update Everyone Home Long Beach Strategic Plan to include updated goals for housing and highlighting effective practices
o Competitive process to secure consultant for the new plan is underway
Long Term (24+ months)
• Convene regional partners for long-term prevention planning and implementation
30 Engage Community in Data, Planning, and Assistance
31 Communications
32 32
Communications - Organic Social Media
736 published posts, including 7 Instagram Reels
1.9 million impressions
83,812 engagements
4,805 post clicks
490+ community social messages and comments,
with up to 3 City replies per message
33 33
Communications – Media Engagement
49 official
press
notifications
issued
Over 900
media
mentions
in
newsprint
and digital
media
Over 1,500
broadcast
news
segments
Over 115
organic
media
inquiries
received
via email
and phone
4 livestreamed
press
conferences
34 34
Communications – Branding and Design
Developed Campaign Brand
Created 250 unique graphics
35 • Top .5% of all City websites
• Includes emergency-specific
page
• Links to digital dashboard
• Homelessness was the #1
topic in the 13 out of the 14
newsletters sent
Launched
Homelessness Website
longbeach.gov/homelessness
GoLongBeach
Newsletter
Communications - Digital
36 Communications - Digital
Homelessness
Emergency Response
Timeline
Key Operational Highlights
Presentations at City Council Meetings
Community Livestreams
Press Conferences
37 Voices of
Homelessness Series Reels
Livestreams
w/Mayor Rex
Richardson
Communications - Storytelling
Real stories of people who
recently experienced
homelessness and how the
City supported their journey
14 livestreams often
highlighting real stories of
people experiencing
homelessness and staff
experiences
Highlighting City staff and
people experiencing
homelessness
longbeach.gov/insideLB
38 38
Communications –
Social/Digital Media Update after 6 months
Launched a paid social media campaign and digital ad
campaign to further share information
Paid social media highlights
August 2023
547,494 Impressions 5,300 Reactions/
Engagements
2,693 Link Clicks
3939
Communications –
Sneak Peak of Upcoming Campaign
Upcoming Paid and organic communications campaign titled, "City of . . ."
Highlight the
current success of
the homelessness
emergency
Share the City’s
ongoing
commitment to
addressing
homelessness
Continue to lead
with empathy and
compassion
Continue to
educate
40 "City of…" Campaign Elements
Paid Social
Media Ads
Paid Digital
Ads
Outdoor
Media Paid Print Ads
News
Content
Organic Social
Media
Communications –
Sneak Peak of Upcoming Campaign
41 42
43 44
45 46
Funding
47 47
New Funding to Support Efforts
Allocations
• $13 million identified by the City of Long Beach for emergency programming
• $3M in AB32 funds are provided for additional HSB Capital projects • $6.5 million in one-time County Measure H to support purchase and development of 702 Anaheim
• The City matched the County with $6.5M in City funding • $1.5M is provided by LAHSA for operations of 702 Anaheim • $13.2 million HHAP Round 4
• $4.9 million in County Measure H Allocation
• $1.25 million in State funding for prevention efforts New & Sustaining Funding for Continued Operations
Funding:
$49.85 Million
48 48
New Funding to Support Efforts
Successful Grant Writing
• $5.3 million HUD CoC Unsheltered NOFO
• $2.2 million DHS commitment to unsheltered NOFO
• $5.3 million Encampment Resolution, Rd 2, for
Downtown Long Beach
• $1.16 million (annually) for 78 Stability Vouchers
New & Sustaining Funding for Continued Operations
New Grants:
$13.96 Million
Total: $63.81 Million
4949
Homelessness Emergency Funding & Expenditures
Budget Category Budgeted
Amount Expended* Obligated* Forecasted** Encumbered
Build Capacity
to Address
Homelessness
$2.42M $0.23M $0.01M $0.0M $2.18M
Increase Access
to Services $4.47M $0.24M $0.61M $0.56M $3.06M
Increase
Interim & Long-
Term Housing
Access
$6.46M $0.10M $0.02M $0.24M $6.10M
Grand Totals $13.35M $0.57M $0.64M $0.80M $11.34M
*Expended and obligated figures through 09/07
** Forecasts are for implemented, budgeted services, e.g., Outreach, Shelter Operations, Mental Health Hours, etc. 5050
Additional funding: FY24 Budget – Homeless Services
• $550,000 to support various site costs at 702 Anaheim to be utilized as a permanent, year-round shelter
• $743,750 to add five administrative positions for Homeless Services • $150,000 to purchase of a van to provide shuttle services • $60,000 to support the operating cost for a shower/restroom trailer • $294,000 to support the ongoing maintenance and operational needs of six new facilities
• $200,000 added by BOC for a one-year pilot to transition people from interim shelters to transitional living facilities
Funding – FY24 Budget Enhancements
Total: $1.98 Million
5151
Additional funding: FY24 Budget – Other Departments
• $300,000 to support the clean-up of large homeless encampment sites, including waste and other items illegally dumped in parks and open spaces • $1.0M for a new Resident Protection Fund in the Justice Fund • $1.5M for Tenant Right to Counsel Program
• $200,000 deposited in the Housing Trust Fund for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) pilot program
• $719,220 for positions in Development Services to support permitting and plan reviews
Funding – FY24 Budget Enhancements
Total: $3.72 Million
52 Public Health and Safety
53 53
Interdepartmental and Interjurisdictional Teams
HSB, LBPD, LBFD, PRM, PW,
City Prosecutor’s Office,
Mental Health Evaluation
team (MET), Development
Services, Library Services,
Marine Bureau, Economic
Development, City
Manager’s Office
Health Dept., LBPD, LBFD, PW,
L.A. County Public Works,
Supervisor Hahn’s Office,
Assemblymember Lowenthal’s
Office, State Senator Lena
Gonzalez, L.A. County CEO-
Homeless Initiative, Cal Trans,
Union Pacific Railroad, So.
Cal. Edison, LB Transit, L.A.
County Sheriffs, Seal Beach PD,
Signal Hill PD
Interdepartmental/Public
Health & Safety
Interjurisdictional
Collaboration
Interdepartmental Focus
Outreach Location:
Over 20 complex locations
54 54
Interdepartmental Outreach Efforts
• 160 calls for service
• 1,442 individuals enrolled for ongoing outreach services • The top services provided include:
o Provided 1,202 case management services
o Provided 201 emergency shelter referrals
o Provided 176 ID vouchers
o Provided 138 transportation resources
o Created 128 mail service agreements for the MSC
2,412 outreach requests responded to
2,494 people experiencing homelessness contacted
607 Encampment Clean Ups from the Clean Team
Interdepartmental Team coordinated outreach responded to:
January 10, 2023 – July 10, 2023
5555
Interdepartmental Team Connections – Lincoln/BLK
5656
Interdepartmental Team Connections – PRM/PW/HSB
5757
Homelessness dashboard, is an
interdepartmental effort brought into
fruition by the Data and Technology
working group
o Team: Staff from Development
Services, Financial Management,
Health and Human Services, and
Technology and Innovation
o Successfully implemented a mobile
app for managing the 2023 Point in
Time (PIT)
o Highlight the 2023 PIT Count data as
part of the dashboard; this is the
City’s first foray into presenting PIT
Count data in an interactive format
Interdepartmental Team Connections – Dashboard
5858
Other Innovations allowed for streamlining processes during the emergency:
• The new solution allows our respective teams to complete their status updates completely electronically and informs EOC command whenever a team has submitted their updates.
• This allowed the Homeless Services Bureau (HSB) a way to schedule one-time and recurring appointments for the newly created RV Dump Site. The collaborative developed a reservation system that could be integrated into a Bureau's system for easier management.
Interdepartmental Team Connections –
Other Innovations
Implementation of Digital forms to improve information sharing and coordination across departments
Appointment Scheduler for the RV Dump Site
59 59
Mission
• To provide compassionate care
through outreach and partnerships
with:
o City / County
o Health Department
o Public Works Clean Team
o LB Fire Department
o LA County Public Works
o CalTrans
o Union Pacific Railroad
o Non-Profit Organizations
o Substance Abuse Treatment
Providers
LBPD Quality of Life (QOL)
Enforcement
• While not the first option, enforcement
actions can be taken in compliance with:
o Martin v. Boise (Provide shelter first,
followed by enforcement)
o Long Beach Municipal codes related
to littering, parks/beaches after
hours, vandalism to park property,
camping, bicycle chop shops, etc.
o Certain vehicle codes for equipment
violations or inoperable vehicles
• Referrals to homeless court
• Working with the City Prosecutor’s
Office to enroll the person in the Law
Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)
program to advocate for treatment
6060
LBPD Quality of Life (QOL) Successes
STORY 1 – B.D STORY 2 - M
6161
Homeless Court
• Long Beach Homeless Court Program launched in 2021 as a partnership with the City Prosecutor’s Office and Homeless Service Bureau; funding facilitated through Supervisor Janice Hahn • It has served over 300 participants by resolving misdemeanor cases, infractions and old convictions to remove barriers to housing and employment
• In April 2023, the Parking Citation Forgiveness Program was added to Homeless Court to assist people living in their vehicles
• The Long Beach Homeless Court Program is also connected with the City Prosecutor's Priority Access Diversion (PAD) Program at the courthouse, which connects persons experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders and/or homelessness to residential treatment programs
6262
Homeless Court
• 307 Homeless Court Participants
• 231 Misdemeanors and 278 infractions dismissed
• 731 Warrants cleared
• 112 Participants connected to expungement services
Homeless Court Partners and Service Providers:
• Long Beach Police Dept's Quality of Life Team
• LA County Public Defender's Office
• LA County Alternate Public Defender
• LA City Attorney's Homeless Engagement and Response Team • Alma Family Services
• LA Centers for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• LA County Probation Dept
• Long Beach Rescue Mission
• Mental Health America
• Pacific Gateway
• Salvation Army
6363
LEAD - Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion
• LEAD provides law enforcement officers the opportunity to divert people out of the criminal justice system and into long-term, intensive case management services • The City Prosecutor's Office developed the GUIDES app for police officers to look up local community resources and refer people to homeless services, mental health treatment and substance use treatment
• In 2017, there was a LEAD pilot in North Long Beach in partnership with the County of Los Angeles and in 2023, the City Prosecutor's Office launched LEAD 2.0 • After officers complete a referral in the GUIDES App, a social worker connects individuals to the Multi-Service Center or one of the contracted LEAD partners GUIDES
64 Case Law
65 The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states:
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
▪ Martin v. City of Boise (9th Cir. 2019) 920 F.3d 584 found that a prohibition against sleeping in public violated the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment when an individual has no access to alternative shelter. ▪ If there is no option of sleeping indoors, a government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property.
▪ After Martin, cities generally cannot enforce ordinances that criminalize sleeping in public unless the city has shelter space available.
Eighth Amendment
Case Law Related to Homelessness
66 • Johnson v. Grants Pass (9th Cir. 2022) 50 F.4th 787, citing Martin v. Boise, ruled that an ordinance precluding the use of bedding supplies, such as a blanket, pillow, or sleeping bag, when sleeping in public violated the Eighth Amendment.
• The City of Grants Pass issued civil citations for violators of its ordinance. • The court found that fining someone for civil infractions for engaging in the unavoidable, biological, life-sustaining acts of sleeping and resting while also trying to stay warm and dry, who very likely does not have enough money to obtain shelter, is excessive. • The court ruled the City of Grants Pass violated the Cruel and Unusual Punishment clause of the Eighth Amendment.
• Recently, Grants Pass petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its case, which may result in the case being overturned.
Case Law Related to Homelessness
Eighth Amendment
67 Martin suggests its holding would not apply to individuals who refused available shelter.
➢ The available shelter requirement does not apply to “individuals who do have access to adequate temporary shelter, whether because they have the means to pay for it or because it is realistically available to them for free, but who choose not to use it.” Martin, 920 F.3d at 618 n.8.
➢ "Available shelter” must be more than an asphalt tarmac with large umbrellas for shade that does not include a roof, walls, water, or electricity. Warren v. City of Chico. ➢ Available shelter that requires enrollment in a religion-based recovery program as a condition to accessing the shelter is not considered “available” to individuals unwilling toenroll in the program.
Case Law Related to Homelessness
68 Martin suggests that limitations may be placed on camping or sleeping during certain times and certain places.
➢ The court in Martin made clear that limitations may still be placed on camping or sleeping during certain times and in certain places. Id. at 617, fn. 8. The court recognized that such an ordinance may be constitutionally permissible, but that “will depend . . . on whether it punishes a person for lacking the means to live out the ‘universal and unavoidable consequences of being human’ in the way the ordinance prescribes.”
➢ The following examples are strategies being employed by a number of cities in California. Cities are attempting to fall under the limited exception identified by the court in Martin. It is important to note that many of them are new regulations and have yet to be challenged in court.
Case Law Related to Homelessness
69 City of Santa Ana Municipal Code Section 10-401 prohibits any person to camp, occupy camp facilities or use camp paraphernalia on any street, any public parking lot or public area, improved or unimproved...
Santa Ana
Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 41.18 bans encampments within 500 feet of sensitive areas such as schools. The ordinance also allows for its Council to establish by resolution, encampment bans in areas such as libraries, shelters and parks.
Ordinances in the Region
70 San Diego
If shelter is available, officers may enforce for violations of San Diego Municipal Code 63.0404 on any person camping on public property.
Regardless of shelter availability, City may enforce violations in the following locations:
• Within two blocks of K-12 schools;
• Within two blocks of a shelter;
• Along trolley tracks and transportation hubs;
• In City parks, where a substantial public health and safety risk is determined;
• or in any open space, waterway or banks of a waterway.
Ordinances in the Region
71 Culver City
Culver City Municipal Code Section 9.10.700 provides structures like tents or cots are not allowed on public sidewalks, streets, in parks and schools or city-owned property. Individuals will be allowed to have sleeping bags and blankets.
Municipal Code Section 13.48.145(C) requires that, “[n]o person shall erect, maintain or occupy any canopy in excess of 100 square feet, or any tent without at least two sides completely open to public view, in any park...”
Huntington Beach
Ordinances in the Region
72 Long Beach
Ordinances in the Region
➢ 9.42.110 - Camping prohibited in certain areas—Exceptions.
A.Unless otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to camp on public property (including rights-of-way), whether improved or unimproved, whether inside or outside a vehicle, between the hours of ten p.m. of one (1) day and five a.m. of the next day, except public property designated for overnightcamping.
B.This Section is in no way intended to change, alter or amend, nor is it to be construed as changing, altering or amending Section 9.42.010.
C.For the purposes of this Section, the term "camp" shall mean the use of tents or other temporary shelters, or non-city designated cooking facilities.
D.A violation of this Section shall constitute a misdemeanor; except that any such violation may, in the discretion of the City Prosecutor, be charged and prosecuted as an infraction.
73 Long Beach
Ordinances in the Region
➢ 16.16.010 - Prohibited acts.
No person shall do any of the acts hereafter enumerated within the limits of any public park, public beach, beach area parking lot, bicycle path, public building or enclosure, or public amphitheater or plaza:
E. Camp, except in areas designated by the Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine for that purpose.
74 Making Connections and Offering Services Looks Like… The Long Beach Process
o Services include basic needs, immediate medical care, access to emergency shelter beds or motel vouchers, connection to case managers at the MSC Offer shelter (Martin vs Boise)
o If people are not ready, they are asked to leave the area o Those who do not leave the location are given a citation Start with outreach and engagement
Post encampments
o Post for 48 hours before clean-ups begin
o Outreach and engagement takes place over several days prior to the clean-up date o Personal property left behind is brought to storage and can be claimed for 30 days 75 • Utilization of safe sleeping / Sanctioned Encampments o Wide range of approaches and intents throughout the country o Jurisdictions utilizing this model have identified the need for resources and service intensive supports within the program
• Larger Scale Utilization of Motels / Hotels
o Large scale master leasing of motel/hotel rooms with supportive services on site
o Builds upon the model and approach of Project Roomkey that was reimbursable through FEMA during the COVID emergency response period • Street-Based Hygiene Services
o Includes mobile restrooms, showers and laundry near where people are currently sleeping
o Funding set aside through the emergency to bring on mobile hygiene services in the future
What other communities are doing?
76 What other communities are doing?
• Peer Navigation Supports
o Programs that are specifically designated as peer support programs, where all staffing has had experiences of homelessness
o Long Beach is working to create a peer apprenticeship and mentor program
• Day Shelters
o Similar to what is provided at the MSC with beds that are available where people can sleep during the day
• Host Homes
o An interim housing approach that links transitional aged youth (18-25) with community members that have an extra room that they are willing to open to a youth for 6 months to a year
o Supportive services are provided as well as a stipend for the host household
77 • Refuse Services
o Multiple approaches with the goal of reducing the amount of refuse that accumulates at encampment sites
o Several cities have started trash services for larger encampments • Voluntary Storage
o Providing an opportunity for people to store vital possessions while searching for housing
o Long Beach will be launching upon the completion of the Navigation Center • Street Medicine / Psychiatry
o Provision of medical care and psychiatric care, including medicine, where people are at without any requirements for insurance or enrollment of primary care
o Mental health therapy availability
What other communities are doing?
78 • Mobile Services
o A wide range of services are being made available through mobile vehicles and clinics to meet people in the community
o Long Beach is a leader in this area with a wide range of services being made available in the community
• Legal Connections
o Both legal services to support people with eviction prevention as well as addressing a wider range of legal issues both for prevention and for persons experiencing homelessness
What other communities are doing?
• Mental Health and Therapy
o Providing a network of areas and locations that have mental health clinicians that can support with therapeutic interventions as well as provide brief to medium term therapy
o Step-down beds for those who are exiting a behavioral health hold hospitalization
79 Transitioning out of the
Emergency Proclamation
into the next phase of our
commitment to addressing
homelessness
80 Considering the transition out of the emergency
proclamation
• Pursuant to Long Beach Municipal Code Section
2.69.060(B)(1), the City Council shall terminate a local emergency at the earliest possible date the conditions
warrant.
o City team working to identify this time frame and have a plan for moving past the emergency proclamation while
keeping the coordinated, streamlined efforts ongoing
o Current efforts and the action plan are outlined in the following slides
81 Continuum of Care
• Ongoing COC Governance and implementation of Lived Experience Advisory Board • Permanent Housing and Supportive Services
Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation
Ongoing Efforts
Ongoing Programs
• Emergency/Interim Shelter Options and Permanent Housing • Homeless Prevention
• Outreach/REACH/MAC
• Homeless Court/LEAD
• Mental Health Services and Launch of MH/SUD Van
• Right to Counsel
• Affordable Housing Development
• Case management and connection to services
• Workforce Development
82 • Identified $63.81 million in new funding
Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation
Emergency Efforts
• Launched a Mobile Access Center (MAC) program and expanded the REACH program to three teams. Second MAC to launch later this month.
• Developed Strategic Communications Plan
• Sped up housing approvals by:
o Reducing time to entitle an affordable housing project from 6-12 months pre-emergency to 60-90 days.
o Moving NOFA release to bi-annual basis to improve planning, gaining site control and expediting construction
83 Increased housing by:
• Adding 85 new permanent emergency shelter beds at 702 Anaheim with planned expansion to more than 100 beds after remodel. This site will serve as a permanent winter shelter site
• Providing permanent housing to 582 people experiencing homelessness through emergency housing vouchers, with 78 new stability vouchers to house more people Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation
Emergency Efforts
Increased mental health services by:
• Launching in person and tele-mental mental health services at the MSC • Partnering with County DHS to provide mobile health and mental health services Increased interdepartmental and interjurisdictional efforts across the City Designed and implemented effective community outreach process for potential new locations for homeless housing and services sites
84 Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation
• Launch a homeless encampment resolution program focused on Billie Jean King Library, Lincoln Park and areas of downtown
• Launch a mobile mental health and substance use treatment van • Identify and reserve additional shelter beds to support encampment resolution efforts and provide options for difficult locations
Forthcoming Actions – Short Term
85 Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation
• Extend the emergency Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program • Establish new governance structure to strengthen collaboration and coordination of homeless response efforts
Forthcoming Actions – Short Term
• Make policy and zoning changes permanent to streamline housing starts 86 Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation
• Develop a homeless prevention policy platform and expand prevention services. • Develop and launch the successor to Everyone Home Plan • Complete construction of 5950 Long Beach Blvd. interim housing, micro-units, and the navigation center/youth shelter bringing 100+ new interim housing beds Forthcoming Actions – Medium Term
• Continue work and complete the medium and long-term goals outlined earlier in the presentation
87 Human-Centered Approach to Future Actions
Transitioning from the Emergency Proclamation-
Action Plan
Use Equity
Lens
Strategize to
Address
Unintended
Consequences
Use Trauma
Informed Lens
Consistency
in
Response
Efforts
88 Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
Challenges
• Measure H sunsets in 2027. Threat to ongoing homeless funding • No dedicated funding for housing production and prevention programs such as Right to Counsel or rental assistance
• LACAHSA is exploring countywide housing and Right to Counsel funding • Long Beach Housing Promise partnerships with our Long Beach educational institutions • Governor's MHSA reform focusing on a Residential Mental Health bond. $1.5 B per year on the November 2024 ballot
• CA State budget approved the CA Big City Mayor's request for $1B in HHAP funding. Allocation amounts pending
Opportunities
89 Summary
Incredible work has been accomplished as part of the emergency • Greatly enhanced service capacity
• Added 85 new interim beds with another 120 in planning or construction • Brought in $63+ million in funding and identified an additional $5.7 million in FY24 budget • Permanently housed 582 people through Emergency Housing Vouchers • Created better coordination both internally and externally • Improved MAC outreach and increased rate of service acceptance • Sped affordable housing development from six to 12 months to 60 to 90 days. • Increased engagement with community and non-profit organizations Accomplished many of the short and medium term goals, with work underway for the remaining goals Many of the technical components of the emergency are no longer required to continue the work Enforcement tools are available when needed and appropriate. Long Beach is a leader in managing homelessness with compassion, yet enforceability is directly linked to our shelter capacity 90 Thank You to
Everyone Who
Contributed to This
Emergency and This
Report!!
Thank you to our Guest Presenters:
• Alanah Grant
• Alison King
• Gigi Zanganeh
• Hanna Stribling
• Joel Reynoza
• Teresa Stewart
91 Thank you
Kelly Colopy, Director
Department of Health and Human Services
Teresa Chandler, Deputy City Manager
Department of the City Manager
Dawn McIntosh, City Attorney
City Attorney’s Office
Anita Lakhani, Deputy City Attorney
City Attorney’s Office
Kevin Lee, Chief Public Affairs Officer
Office of the City Manager
Ty Burford, Deputy Chief
Police Department