TITLE
Recommendation to continue the local emergency caused by conditions or threatened conditions of homelessness within the City of Long Beach, which if not corrected, constitute an imminent and proximate threat to the safety of persons and 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.
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 29th, 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.
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 16th, 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 Page 4
• 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 the Supplemental Agenda with a presentation with the latest information provided to the City Council and community during the meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The full fiscal impact is unknown at this time and will be based on the work required and projects implemented to respond to the homelessness crisis. As the Citywide strategy is developed, and funding is identified, staff will return to the City Council with fiscal impacts and requests for appropriation. This recommendation will result in significant staffing impacts beyond the normal budgeted scope of 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.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER