Second Mobile Homeless Access Center Coming This Month In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — The city is set to launch a second Mobile Access Center vehicle later this month to expand outreach for people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach.

In August, the Mobile Access center offered services to 306 people and has provided services to a total of 1,238 since its inception. This month, the Mobile Access Center will be stationed in different areas throughout the city during the week.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the access center will be at the following locations:

• Mondays – MacArthur Park near the basketball courts
• Tuesdays – Christian Outreach in Action parked on Linden Avenue
• Wednesdays – In the area of Billie Jean King Main Library and Lincoln Park, parked on Ocean Boulevard
• Thursdays – Drake/Chavez Soccer Fields. Van will be parked facing Los Angeles River near the parking lot located on De Forest Avenue just south of the soccer fields.
• Fridays – Alamitos Beach Parking Lot near the south end of the parking lot, at Shoreline Drive and Beach Access Road.

From 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., the access center will be at the following locations:

• Mondays – Traffic Circle, in the area of Ximeno Avenue and East Atherton Street. Van will be parked on Ximeno Avenue.
• Tuesdays – Houghton Park, Atlantic Avenue side of the park.
• Wednesdays – 6th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, on 6th Street between Long Beach Boulevard and Elm Avenue.

Last month, Long Beach was one of seven communities statewide to be awarded $5.3 million in State grants to help fund additional services to people experiencing homelessness in the city.

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, Mayor Rex Richardson said.