562.441.3590
Jennifer.RiceEpstein@longbeach.gov
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Winter Shelter, which shields people experiencing homelessness from cold weather and provides shelter, food and safety during the coldest time of the year, opened on Dec. 1. The facility, located at 1718 Hayes Ave. in West Long Beach, is operated in partnership with Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The shelter capacity will be limited to 45 to allow for physical distancing in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Our Winter Shelter will continue to provide people experiencing homelessness with access to basic needs like shelter, food and services during the cold winter months,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Thank you to our city team and our local and regional community partners for their collaborative efforts to make this happen.”
The new location replaces the 2020 Winter Shelter in North Long Beach, which stayed open throughout 2021 in order to provide additional shelter due to need associated with the pandemic.
"I am happy that the much-needed Winter Shelter was able to find a new location before it gets too cold. As we enter the coldest months of our year, we have to be the most compassionate to our most vulnerable,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “Although it breaks my heart that we need shelters at all, I am happy to host the shelter and help provide warmth for those who need it most."
Shelter participants can only access the Winter Shelter via the Winter Shelter bus, which will make daily pick-ups at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center (1301 W. 12th St.) at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Every morning, the Winter Shelter bus will drop people off at the Multi-Service Center. The Winter Shelter will be open daily through March 31, 2022.
“We are looking forward to helping those experiencing homelessness during this cold season, and hope that our winter shelter helps to connect many to transitional and permanent housing,” said Seventh District Councilmember Robert Uranga.
In addition to the Winter Shelter, the City and its partners operate 796 beds year-round (current capacity adjusted to 621 due to distancing protocols to reduce the spread of Covid-19).
Throughout the year, staff from the City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department’s Homeless Services Bureau and its community partners canvass Long Beach daily, engaging people who are experiencing homelessness and offering emergency shelter, transportation, access to service providers and opportunities for housing. The Department also leads the Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC), which collaborates with multiple partners, including business and neighborhood associations, nonprofit and faith-based agencies, and medical and educational institutions to proactively address homelessness.
The Winter Shelter location on Hayes Avenue currently resides in the First Council District; however, after the new district boundaries take effect on Dec. 18, it will be part of the Seventh District.
For more information about the Winter Shelter, people can call VOALA at 213.328.9928 or the Multi-Service Center at 562.570.4500.