The Long Beach City Council will decide whether to redeclare a “shelter crisis” and authorize a new winter shelter at its Tuesday, Dec. 7 meeting.
If approved, the winter shelter will run from Dec. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, a time when the region experiences “its most inclement weather,” according to a staff report.
From Nov. 25 to March 30, Long Beach’s “cool season,” the average daily high is below 69 degrees. The coldest month of the year, December, has an average low of 49 degrees and a high of 66 degrees, according to WeatherSpark.
Last year’s winter shelter was located at 5571 Orange Avenue, but the property is planned for the development of affordable housing.
Thus, the proposed location for the shelter is the 5,400 square-foot industrial space at 1718-1722 Hayes Avenue, which is owned by the City.
The program provider Volunteers of America Los Angeles will be responsible for intake, nightly shelter for individuals, showers and two daily meals.
Overnight staffing will provide security and case management services that link participants to additional programs, according to the staff report.
Long Beach houses an average of 1,000 individuals annually in its shelters, according to a 2020 City statement.
The City may extend the operating hours of the Multi-Service Center (MSC) as well, given that historically, most individuals and families entering the program are referred to by the MSC, according to the report.
The program provider will not be charged rent, as the winter shelter program is funded by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Other year-round shelters in Long Beach include the Lydia House and Samaritan House, both operated by the Long Beach Rescue Mission.