:
October 10, 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 proclamation 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, 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.
The 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 provide 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
R-26
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 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 exp eriencing 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 Strategic 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
• Released The Mobile Access Center (MAC) schedule for October which will operate Monday through Friday with varied hours and locations.
• Launched the 2nd MAC to provide services in multiple places throughout the community. • Continued to provide case management services at the Queensway Safe Parking program Monday through Friday from 5-8 pm.
• Implemented Spanish language notifications for the Long Beach homel essness text alert program to increase accessibility to services and resources.
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Completed 5950 Long Beach Blvd . (formerly Luxury Inn) outreach and canvassing to over 450 residents in the Longwood and Coolidge Triangle neighborhoods. • Completed 5950 Long Beach Blvd . outreach and canvassing to over 20 businesses along the Long Beach Blvd. corridor.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 2023
• Launched a timeline of the emergency on the website to further educate peopl e of the work accomplished. Increased outreach with the Interdepartmental team to high priority locations across the city.
• Hosted a donation drive on September 23rd and collected 2,461 items.
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Awarded $5.3 million from the State for the second Encampment Resolution Grant to focus on BJK Library, Lincoln Park and other downtown areas . The focus will be on increasing access to housing and services.
• Organized and hosted an Open House Community Meeting at 5950 Long Beach Blvd . with over 50 residents in attendance.
• Conducted outreach and engagement around the new Safe Parking site to inform the neighborhood partners about the program.
• Met with business owners who are in close proximity to the ne w Safe Parking site to provide education and answer questions about the Safe Parking program
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• For the month of September, 20 persons experiencing homelessness have been referred to Project Based Vouchers, Emergency Housing Vouchers, or Section 8 Vouchers, with 10 new lease-ups.
Questions from September 12, 2023
At the last hearing of this item, there were several questions from the dais. Some were answered in person, and the following is a list of questions staff are working on a response to and their status:
1. How are police officers kept informed regarding available beds, including beds at nonprofit organizations?
a. How are we providing shelter after hours for those who want it?
2. The LB Municipal Code currently prohibits sleeping in your car and sleeping on the beach between sunset and sunrise. Are these laws being enforced? If not, why not?
3. When do we enforce restrictions against encampments blocking rights of way? Can we ban encampments next to schools?
Focus Areas for the Next Four Weeks
Staff will provide an oral report to City Council on October 10, 2023 , focusing on activities accomplished in the last four weeks and will share a look ahead to the next four weeks at items
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 2023
that contribute to the progress of the short and medium-term goals. Topics will include:
Increase access to services
• Continue partnership conversations with Health Services Los Angeles County and Los Angeles Homelessness Services Authority.
• Continue to provide case management services at the Queensway Safe Parking program Monday through Friday from 5-8 pm.
• Continue to coordinate outreach to RVs in the West Side businesses areas near the LA River and the Magnolia Industrial Group (MIG).
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Refresh data on Homelessness Emergency Dashboard on October 5th. • Conduct education around the Tiny Home project; elicit support from the community to find a new location.
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Plan for a convening to connect and brainstorm with Community Champions who are supporting homeless related services across the City; to be held on October 5th. • Continue 5950 LB Blvd outreach and engagement to community members in the surrounding area.
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Finalize contracts with Rescue Mission for the 702 W Anaheim Site for the -term interim shelter.
• Heritage Gardens will complete construction in October and provide the opportunity for 20 new affordable housing units.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on September 28, 2023, and by Recovery Budget Officer, Dee Okam, on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 10, 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 the Supplemental Agenda with a presentation with the latest information provided to the City Council and community during the meeting.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
October 10, 2023
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 Four Weeks
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # 092623
9/26/2023
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center (MAC), which provides access to case management services and other resources for people experiencing homelessness, will temporarily pause operations on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, due to staff training within the City’s Homeless Services Bureau. The MAC will resume normal operations on Thursday, Sept. 28, with the October schedule listed below.
Weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon:
Mondays
MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.) near the basketball courts Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) parking spots located along Orizaba Avenue Tuesdays
Christian Outreach in Action (515 E. 3rd St.), parked on Linden Avenue Scherer Park (4600 Long Beach Blvd.), parked on the east side of the park in the parking lot off Atlantic Avenue near the Long Beach Police Department North Division Station Wednesdays
In the area of Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park, parked on Ocean BoulevardIn the area of the South Street and Cherry Avenue intersection, parked near the northeast corner of the intersection off South Street Thursdays
Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields (903-999 Fairbanks Ave.); the van will be parked facing Los Angeles River near the parking lot located on De Forest Avenue just south of the soccer fieldsHoughton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), Atlantic Avenue side of the park Fridays
Alamitos Beach Parking Lot near the south end of the parking lot, at Shoreline Drive and Beach Access Road
Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.), parked near the corner of Cherry Avenue and East 1st Street Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m.:
Mondays
Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center to Temporarily Pause Operations on Wednesday, September 27
Subject:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Contact:
Select Language
▼ ATTACHMENT A
Traffic Circle, in the area of Ximeno Avenue and East Atherton Street. Van will be parked on Ximeno Avenue
In the area of Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park, parked on Ocean Boulevard
Tuesdays
Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), Atlantic Avenue side of the park Granada Beach Parking Lot (5100 E. Ocean Blvd.), parked near Roycroft Avenue and Ocean Boulevard
Wednesdays
6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, on 6th Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Elm Avenue
Heartwell Park (5801 Parkcrest St.), parked in the parking lot of East Carson Street between Woodruff Avenue and North Bellflower Boulevard
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # 91823-01
9/18/2023
The City of Long Beach launched its second Mobile Access Center (MAC) today, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. 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. The deployment of the second MAC will double the number service areas throughout Long Beach, from eight to 16, available weekday mornings and afternoons during select times. “We’re proud to continue offering access to life-changing services and connections to resources through our Mobile Access Centers,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The deployment of the second MAC will allow us to engage with and assist even more people experiencing homelessness.” The schedule below reflects the new schedule, inclusive of both MAC vehicles, beginning Monday, Sept. 18.
MAC vehicles will be stationed at the following locations from 9 a.m. to noon:
Mondays
MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.) near the basketball courts Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.) parking spots located along Orizaba Avenue Tuesdays
Christian Outreach in Action (515 E. 3rd St.), parked on Linden Avenue Scherer Park (4600 Long Beach Blvd.), parked on the east side of the park in the parking lot off Atlantic Avenue near the Long Beach Police Department North Division Station Wednesdays
In the area of Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park, parked on Ocean Boulevard
In the area of the South Street and Cherry Avenue intersection, parked near the northeast corner of the intersection off South Street
Thursdays
Long Beach Increases Homeless Service Outreach with Deployment of Second Mobile Access Center and Additional Service Locations
Subject:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Contact:
Select Language
▼
Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields (903-999 Fairbanks Ave.); the van will be parked facing Los Angeles River near the parking lot located on De Forest Avenue just south of the soccer fields
Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), Atlantic Avenue side of the park Fridays
Alamitos Beach Parking Lot near the south end of the parking lot, at Shoreline Drive and Beach Access Road
Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.), parked near the corner of Cherry Avenue and East 1st Street MAC vehicles will also 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
In the area of Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park, parked on Ocean Boulevard
Tuesdays
Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.), Atlantic Avenue side of the park Granada Beach Parking Lot (5100 E. Ocean Blvd.), parked near Roycroft Avenue and Ocean Boulevard
Wednesdays
6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, on 6th Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Elm Avenue
Heartwell Park (5801 Parkcrest St.), parked in the parking lot of East Carson Street between Woodruff Avenue and North Bellflower Boulevard
As of Sept. 12, the MAC has 2,225 recorded engagements with people experiencing homelessness, and of those engagements, services have been provided to 1,275 people, including referral and transport to shelter, enrollment into the homeless services system, connections to community resources and basic 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 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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # 091423-2
9/14/2023
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach has launched an interactive digital timeline of its emergency response efforts, offering a visual representation of the City’s actions taken under its emergency proclamation to address homelessness. The visual timeline supports one of the established goals of the emergency, “engaging the community in data, planning and assistance.” “Part of our ‘all in’ approach is providing the public with updates and information in an easily accessible and visually comprehensive way,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The visual timeline features an assortment of the immediate- to short-term goals we’ve accomplished, as well as updates we’ve shared through our weekly livestreams and updates to City Council.” The visual timeline, available at longbeach.gov/homelessness/emergency-response-timeline, is categorized by month and includes interactive hover features that share the dates of significant activities, City Council updates, community livestreams and press conferences, as well as photos, videos and links to more information and resources. It showcases an assortment of enhanced efforts and initiatives undertaken from Jan. 10 through Aug. 31, 2023, and will continue to be updated throughout the emergency proclamation period. The events listed are in alignment with the City’s established immediate- and short-term goals and focus areas associated with the emergency, as well as key milestones, goals and other achievements under the emergency. “We’re incredibly proud of the work we have done under the emergency proclamation,” said Health Department Director Kelly Colopy. “From increasing the number of shelter beds to enhanced street outreach and everything in between, the digital timeline offers an interactive look at the hard work our team has done to provide life-changing services and connections to resources for people experiencing homelessness.”
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.
Long Beach Launches Interactive Digital Timeline Showcasing Local Homelessness Emergency Response Efforts
Subject:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Contact:
Select Language
▼
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # 091423
9/14/2023
Long Beach, CA – On Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the City of Long Beach will host its seventh 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. “Our community has been so generous in their contributions over the last six months,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Through these donations, we’ve been able to provide more than 11,300 essential items to people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach.”
The City is currently seeking clothing, as well as the following items, for contribution:
Hygiene kits or house-warming gift kits from the Multi-Service Center Amazon Wish List.
Long Beach Hosting Donation Drive Thru Event Saturday, September 23, to Support People Experiencing Homelessness
Subject:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Contact:
Select Language
▼
Backpacks filled with needed items such as hand warmers, flashlights, battery packs, batteries (especially 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.
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 over 18,350 items generously donated by community members, including 10,347 items during the City’s first six donation drive thru events and over 8,000 items from drop-off bins and items donated through other avenues.
Over 60% of these items have been distributed to the MSC and community organizations thus far.
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release # 090823-4
9/8/2023
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach will continue to deploy its Mobile Access Center (MAC) in select Long Beach areas weekdays throughout September. 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.
Throughout September, the MAC will be stationed at the following locations from 9 a.m. to noon:
Mondays – MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.) near the basketball courts.
Tuesdays – Christian Outreach in Action (515 E. 3rd St.), parked on Linden Avenue.
Wednesdays – In the area of Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park, parked on Ocean Boulevard.
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.
The MAC will also 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.
The City anticipates expanding service locations once the second MAC vehicle launches later this month.
Long Beach’s Mobile Access Center Continues Homeless Services Outreach Throughout September
Subject:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
[email protected]
Contact:
Select Language
▼
In August, the MAC encountered and offered services to 306 people who are experiencing homelessness. To date, the MAC has 2,147 recorded engagements with people experiencing homelessness, and of those engagements, services have been provided to 1,238 people, including referral and transport to shelter, enrollment into the homeless services system, connections to community resources and basic 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 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.