TITLE
Recommendation continue the local emergency caused by conditions or threatened conditions of homelessness within the City of Long Beach, which if not corrected, constitute an imminent and proximate threat to the safety of persons and property within the City; and
Receive and file an update on the emergency declaration and associated activities and provide any additional direction to City staff regarding the emergency. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) has designated significant resources to address homelessness in Long Beach. Since 2020, more than 530 new interim housing units have been developed. The City opened the first year-round Atlantic Bridge Community Shelter, secured three hotels along with the County of Los Angeles (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 4 to 27, expanded hours for weekend outreach, began conducting localized interdepartmental response, partnered to provide mobile health care services, and doubled Police Department Quality of Life teams. In 2023, the City has implemented mobile Multi-Service Center (MSC) outreach teams, will launch a mobile mental health and substance use treatment van, and will continue to focus on mental health prevention and treatment access.
The City continues to have 3,447 people experiencing homelessness throughout Long Beach, which is a 4.6 percent increase from 2022. Of these 3,447 people, 2,456 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, leaving few options for those currently without shelter.
Declaration of the Emergency
On January 10, 2023, the City Council proclaimed the local emergency, in accordance with the provisions of Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 2.69. This item will be reviewed every fourteen (14) days until the City Council terminates said local emergency or amends requirements for reporting frequency. A local emergency must be terminated at the earliest possible date as the conditions warrant.
The Mission of the Emergency:
To reduce the number of persons experiencing homelessness in the City and the region by increasing housing opportunities and by enhancing current initiatives that provide field-based outreach, engagement, and supportive services while maintaining the safety and security of the people experiencing homelessness, the general public and staff, and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
The Everyone Home Long Beach leads with the following statement of possibility: The experience of homelessness in Long Beach is rare and brief when it occurs. The Mission, goals and actions outlined in the local homeless emergency are aligned with the Everyone Home Long Beach Plan.
Actions Taken in the Past Two Weeks
Over the past two weeks, the City emergency structure has taken several actions and below is a summary of the major items worked on. Supporting information is included in Attachment A.
Increase access to services
• Working on identifying alternate sites for Safe Parking after Queensway ends on May 21st
• Housing Authority is working to update its Housing Choice Voucher List.
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Refreshed Homelessness Dashboard data on May 4. Restructured dashboard to incorporate the Point in Time Count, prevention, and outcomes data.
• Received over 800 donated items at the second drive thru donation event held on April 29th
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Met with Big City Mayors to learn more about the Senate’s proposed budget, which proposes to create an ongoing funding source for the HHAP program totaling $1 billion annually.
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• Engaged with consultants to identify grants to support efforts Focus Areas for the Next Two Weeks
Staff will provide an oral report on May 16, 2023, on some of the areas of focus for the next two weeks that contribute to the progress of the short-term goals. Topics will include:
Increase access to services
• Continue partnership conversations with LA County Department of Health Services and LAHSA
• Increase outreach and education regarding availability of the RV Sanitation and Water Filling site
• Finalize location for an alternative Safe Parking site after Queensway ends on May 21st
• Housing Authority will continue to work to update its Housing Choice Voucher List.
Engage community in data, planning and assistance
• Plan an Interfaith convening of faith organizations from across the City who are committed to supporting the efforts of not only the emergency response, but ongoing after the emergency has been lifted
Build capacity to address homelessness crisis
• Continue evaluating potential Airport and Port of Long Beach properties that can support additional homelessness services
Increase interim and long-term housing access
• Continue to conduct enhanced engagement with housing providers to boost housing access
• Working to identify a long-term emergency shelter site
• Reviewing sites for a potential Project Homekey application
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani and Recovery Budget Officer Dee Okam on May 10, 2023 .
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 16, 2023, in accordance with the Long Beach Municipal Code requirements for the review of the local emergency. In order to report back every two weeks and to allow time for updates with the actions of the past two weeks, the item will generally be released on the Supplemental Agenda with a presentation with the latest information provided to the City Council and community during the meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
The full fiscal impact is unknown at this time and will be based on the work required and projects implemented to respond to the homelessness crisis. As the Citywide strategy is developed, and funding is identified, staff will return to the City Council with fiscal impacts and requests for appropriation. This recommendation will result in significant staffing impacts beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is expected to affect Citywide staffing workload and will cause priorities to shift due to this emergency. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER