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Recommendation to adopt resolution proclaiming the existence of a local emergency caused by conditions and threatened conditions of homelessness within the City of Long Beach, which if not corrected, constitutes an imminent and proximate threat to the safety of persons and property within the City. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City Manager has been requested by Mayor Rex Richardson and Councilmember Mary Zendejas to bring a declaration of a Citywide State of Emergency on homelessness. City of Long Beach (City) has designated significant resources to address homelessness in the City. Since 2020, more than 530 new interim housing units have been developed. The City opened the first year around ABC Shelter, secured three hotels along with the 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 four to 27, expanded hours for weekend outreach, begun to conduct localized interdepartmental response, partnered to provide mobile health care services, and doubled Police Department Quality of Life teams. The New Year, 2023, will include mobile Multi-Service Center (MSC) outreach teams, a mobile mental health and substance use treatment van, as well as continuing focus on mental health prevention and treatment access.
The City continues to have approximately 3,300 people experiencing homelessness Citywide, which is a 77 percent increase since 2017 and a 62 percent increase from 2020 to 2022. Of the 3,300 people, more than 2,000 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. This leaves few options for those currently without shelter.
Homelessness has disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander Long Beach residents who are ...
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