Homelessness Resources
Resolving issues and challenges around homelessness is a top priority for this Council and this office. With the Emergency Declaration we had adopted from January 2023 – February 2024, we were able to take swift action to expand housing and services by putting into place policies and programs that provided immediate assistance and laid the groundwork for positive long-term outcomes. Though we have much more work to do, we are now beginning to see some progress in the right direction. The results of the 2024 Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count reveal that for the first time since 2017, we have seen an overall decrease in homelessness compared to the previous year. View the 2024 PIT Count Report or the Everyone Home Long Beach dashboard for a visual overview of the data.
Homelessness Strategic Plan Initiative
The City is developing a Homelessness Strategic Plan Initiative. As part of the initiative, a five-year strategic plan, with an expected release in November 2024, will be developed to address the root causes of homelessness in Long Beach, improve the City’s service system assisting people out of homelessness, and further prevent people from falling into homelessness.
In the meantime, Long Beach's Homeless Services outreach teams and LBPD Quality of Life officers reach out to individuals and encampments on a daily basis. These contacts are critical, as each individual has different needs in terms of making connections to build trust to accept help—it takes months, if not years, to earn the trust of some of these folks such that they will accept services to help get them off the streets. The courts have stated governments can't "shoo" people experiencing homelessness away, harass, or arrest them. We're doing all we can within the law, and we understand that the process can be slow and frustrating. However, we continue to make contacts, offer services, and notify them when their area must be evacuated for clean-up.
Mobile Access Center (MAC)
Councilwoman Kerr worked with City Management and Homeless Services to place a Mobile Access Center (MAC) vehicle at Heartwell Park between Woodruff and Bellflower on Wednesdays from 1:30PM -4PM. The MAC vehicle is a new form of street outreach that allows staff to begin the intake process on the street with people experiencing homelessness beyond the City's Multi-Service Center (MSC). The MAC serves as an extension of the Homeless Services Bureau, including REACH, Homeless Outreach Services and the MSC. This approach increases access to services and resources for people experiencing homelessness, including case management, homeless prevention, connection to mental health services, mail services, connections to housing and more. Staffed by members of the Homeless Services Bureau and a public health nurse, the vehicle allows clients to receive direct services including routine health checkups.
What Can I Do?
Want to be part of the solution? If you encounter someone who is experiencing homelessness, and aren’t sure what you can do, please review the Health & Human Services FAQ sheet for information on available resources.
If you’re able, sharing or dispersing this pocket guide or the most up-to-date MAC schedule could greatly assist a person experiencing homelessness connect with City services and facilities. You can also visit longbeach.gov/homelessness for more information on how to volunteer, donate, and get involved.
If you see dumped trash or dangerous items such as syringes at our parks, please make a report to the Go Long Beach app or website. This ensures Parks Maintenance staff are aware of the issue and can address. If you would rather not use Go Long Beach, then please let our office know so we can immediately make a report on your behalf.
We all have a role to play in working towards ending the homelessness crisis. This is a top priority for the City of Long Beach and requires a coordinated, interdepartmental approach. To learn more about homelessness and Long Beach’s coordinated response, visit longbeach.gov/homelessness/learn-more-about-homelessness/.
