Long Beach, CA
File #: 16-0474    Version: 1 Name: CD1-Homelessness
Type: Agenda Item Status: Approved
File created: 5/16/2016 In control: City Council
On agenda: 5/24/2016 Final action: 5/24/2016
Title: Recommendation to direct City Manager, Long Beach Health and Human Services Department and Long Beach Police Department to report on the current state of homelessness in the City of Long Beach and report back to the City Council at a future meeting. The report should include: • Any updates on the current number of individuals facing homelessness. • Information regarding requests from the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department for additional grant funding from Los Angeles County. • Information regarding all grants received in FY 15-16 for homeless services. • Total number of funds allocated by the City for mental health services and programs. • Total number of funds allocated by the City for substance abuse prevention services and programs. • Current status on homeless individuals with substance abuse issues. • Resources provided by the City for homeless children and families.
Sponsors: COUNCILWOMAN LENA GONZALEZ, FIRST DISTRICT, VICE MAYOR SUJA LOWENTHAL, SECOND DISTRICT, COUNCILMAN AL AUSTIN, EIGHTH DISTRICT
Attachments: 1. 052416-R-14sr.pdf

TITLE

Recommendation to direct City Manager, Long Beach Health and Human Services Department and Long Beach Police Department to report on the current state of homelessness in the City of Long Beach and report back to the City Council at a future meeting. The report should include:

 

                     • Any updates on the current number of individuals facing
                       homelessness.

 

                     • Information regarding requests from the Long Beach
                       Health and Human Services Department for additional
                       grant funding from Los Angeles County.

 

                     • Information regarding all grants received in FY 15-16
                       for homeless services.

 

                     • Total number of funds allocated by the City for mental
                       health services and programs.

 

                     • Total number of funds allocated by the City for substance
                       abuse prevention services and programs.

 

                     • Current status on homeless individuals with substance
                       abuse issues.

 

                     • Resources provided by the City for homeless children
                       and families.

 

DISCUSSION

Every two years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the City of Long Beach Continuum of Care to conduct a citywide homeless count. The last homeless count in Long Beach was conducted by the Long Beach Health Department on January 29, 2015.

 

The data collected from reaching out to the homeless community gives the City good data on the number, characteristics, and service needs of individuals, families, and unaccompanied children experiencing homeless ness is a critical component of local homeless planning and program development. Accurate data helps the Long Beach CoC to understand changes in trends among homeless populations; adjust the types of programs and services available according to need and use resources as efficiently as possible; comply with reporting requirements; and measure community progress towards preventing and ending homelessness.

 

From the data collected, the Long Beach homeless population in 2015 is as follows:

 

Total number of homeless individuals: 2,345 Unsheltered individuals: 1513

 

Sheltered individuals (Emergency shelter, transitional housing or safe haven): 832

 

Total chronic homeless ness population: 927 Unsheltered: 731

 

Sheltered: 214

 

Chronic homeless - Persons with disabling condition who has been homeless for a year or more (i.e.living in a place not meant for human habitation and/or residing in a safe haven or an emergency shelter) continuously for at least one year.

 

Adults and Children Adults: 2,090 Children: 255

 

Other homeless subpopulations (unsheltered):

 

Adults with a Serious Mental Illness: 550 Adults with a Substance Use Disorder: 330 Adults with HIV/AIDS: 13

 

Victims of Domestic Violence: 108

 

Other homeless subpopulatlons (sheltered):

 

Adults with a Serious Mental Illness: 209 Adults with a Substance Use Disorder: 127 Adults with HIV/AIDS: 30

 

Victims of Domestic Violence: 97

Source:

 

Information collected from http://www.longbeach.gov/health/services/directory/homeless-services/about-usl

 

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact for this report.

 

SUGGESTED ACTION

Approve recommendation.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

LENA GONZALEZ

COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT

 

SUJA LOWENTHAL

VICE MAYOR, SECOND DISTRICT

 

AL AUSTIN

COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT