City Awarded $5.3M To Fund Additional Homeless Aid Programs

LONG BEACH, CA — The City of Long Beach was awarded $5.3 million in State grants to help fund additional services to people experiencing homelessness in the city.

Long Beach was one of seven communities Statewide to receive Encampment Resolution Funding from the California Interagency Council on Homelessness in order to move people living in homeless encampments into housing.

"This is a huge opportunity for us to make a positive difference in the lives of our unhoused neighbors in Downtown Long Beach, especially in areas with a high level of need, such as Lincoln Park, Billie Jean King Main Library, and the Entertainment District," said Mayor Rex Richardson.

The money awarded will enable city officials to provide more compassionate and effective services such as:

• Immediate access to safe and dignified shelter options
• Dedicated case management and supportive services
• Mental health, substance use and physical health services
• Rental assistance and permanent housing resources

With the ERF, the city plans to make 60 additional non-congregate shelter units available for one year and transition 125 people from encampments to permanent housing within one year, Richardson said.

“As recent weather events have unfortunately demonstrated, living in encampments puts Californian’s lives in danger,” said Meghan Marshall, the Cal ICH Executive Officer. “These grants allow communities to move their most vulnerable residents to safe and stable housing, where they can be supported in addressing their unmet needs.”

This is the second time within the last two years that Long Beach has been awarded State ERF funding and has been recognized for its successful and innovative strategies to address homelessness, the city said.

"We are thankful to Governor Newsom and his administration for their support and trust in our work. We also want to thank our community partners and our dedicated staff who are working hard every day to make Long Beach a better place for everyone," Richardson said.