TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report by City staff on a strategy to create additional affordable housing and improve prevention and response to homelessness in Long Beach, including current efforts, potential new funding sources, and enhanced approaches to reduce homelessness and improve housing opportunities. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
At its meeting on July 24, 2018, the City Council discussed an item regarding revenue options to address local homelessness and housing shortages in the City. As a result, the City Council approved the recommendation that the City Manager report back at its next available meeting on the City of Long Beach’s (City) current efforts and potential future strategies to achieve multiple initiatives centered around affordable housing and local revenue sources.
Five actions were included in the approved motion by City Council to be included in the City Manager’s report:
Provide an analysis detailing a strategy for identifying a dedicated local revenue source for the development of permanent supportive housing and comprehensive prevention service;
Provide a plan to use recently received state funding toward the purchase a facility that would be utilized as a year-round homeless shelter, focusing first on Winter Shelter sites previously used by the City;
Research and identify funding strategies and partners to purchase nuisance motel properties for transitional and permanent housing opportunities;
Create a source-of-income discrimination policy aimed at reducing the number of denied Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly known as Section 8) by landlords in the City; and,
Provide an update on a potential Safe Parking Program, with the goal of moving homeless individuals residing in their vehicles off City streets and into safe parking spaces.
The City Manager will work with all appropriate departments to provide an initial oral report to the City Council on the City’s current efforts and strategies to address the various initi...
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