TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the Long Beach Safe Parking Program Feasibility Study; and
Direct staff to initiate a 12-month pilot program at 2 locations within Long Beach, utilizing funding that is best appropriate.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach, like many other cities in California and across the nation is faced with a housing crisis. In 2018, the homeless count for Los Angeles County reported 7,368 individuals living in their cars or vans and 8,380 individuals living in RVs or campers. In 2017, the city's homeless count identified 1,863 individuals experiencing homelessness and 85 of them living in their vehicles. As such, Long Beach has been focused on creating solutions from increased access to resources, exploring policies such as inclusionary housing, motel conversions and identifying revenue streams for the development of new affordable units.
Currently, there are several families residing in their vehicles with school aged children. These effects determinants of health and successes. Addressing the issues of homelessness is a priority for our city as many are exposed to health risks such as malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, mental illness, and other physical or emotional risks.
In March 2017, Councilwoman Pearce convened a series of meetings with representatives from the Health Department, 9 clergy members and several non-profits to explore the feasibility of a safe parking program. This convening series resulted in the Long Beach Safe Parking Program Feasibility Study in June 2017 with the intention of transitioning people who reside in their vehicles off the street and into safe parking spaces, while connecting them to essential services and programs including permanent housing.
This report is robust and offers a path for Long Beach to begin a pilot program that begins with issuing a Letter of Interest (LOI) to solicit potential community partners for a pilot program. If sufficient interest is expressed, a request for proposals...
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