TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with Health and Human Services and Technology and Innovation Departments to provide an updated report within 90 days on the feasibility and possible implementation strategies to develop a City of Long Beach specific mobile and web-based application for City staff and City of Long Beach residents who work with or interact with those experiencing homelessness and/or addiction or other mental health issues that provides updated, real-time data on bed availability at shelters, rehab, detox, medical detox, and other types of public, private, and non-profit beds. The mobile and web-based applications would provide additional information to City of Long Beach employees and residents about services such as food pantries, showers, or locations to get ID vouchers.
DISCUSSION
On August 20, 2019 the City Council requested the City Manager to evaluate the feasibility of working with Get Help, or a similar service, to develop City-specific mobile and web-based applications (apps) for City staff and Long Beach residents who work or interact with people experiencing homelessness and/or addiction or other mental health issues and report back. The apps would provide updated, real-time data on bed availability at shelters, rehab, detox, medical detox, and other types of public, private, and nonprofit beds. The apps would also provide additional information to City employees and residents about services such as food pantries, showers, or locations to get ID vouchers.
On March 21, 2021 our Health and Human Services Department provided a report on this request. The report detailed efforts made to evaluate the feasibility of this proposed program and work with an app developer, however found that the program was not able to be implemented at that time due to reporting limitations of service providers.
Given the ongoing and pressing nature of the homelessness crisis facing Long Beach, and the recent increases we have seen in nea...
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