TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution requesting the Governor and State Legislature to declare a state of emergency to combat homelessness and direct resources to support the efforts of major cities in the state to address the problem.
DISCUSSION
Homelessness has become a growing problem in Long Beach, Los Angeles County and throughout the State of California.
The last citywide homeless count in Long Beach in January 2015 identified 2,345 homeless individuals, including 255 children. Of those, 1,513 were unsheltered individuals and 832 were in emergency shelters, transitional housing or safe havens.
The homeless population in Los Angeles County has increased 5.7 percent in the past year, according to the 2016 countywide count. People living in tents, shantytowns and vehicles increased 20 percent countywide in the past year.
According to recent press reports, the homeless population statewide is estimated to be more than 115,000, with 47,000 of those in Los Angeles County.
On June 14, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to call for a state declaration of emergency on California's homeless crisis. However, Governor Jerry Brown has thus far declined to take such action on the matter.
Given the growing homeless crisis in our city, county and state, it is important for the City of Long Beach to join the call for the state to provide the resources necessary to local governments to help address the problem.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHT DISTRICT
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER