Los Angeles County and the city of Long Beach will work together to establish a permanent homeless shelter at the former Long Beach Rescue Mission Thrift Store.
The building was formerly owned by the Long Beach Rescue Mission Foundation, but stopped operating as a thrift store years ago. It’s been used as an emergency winter homeless shelter since early May, providing protection from the cold and wet weather for at least 84 people a night.
The location is expected to provide shelter for the same amount of homeless residents on a year-round basis, and “expand to more” during the winter months, according to Kelly Colopy, director of Health and Human Services.
LA County and Long Beach will split the costs of the shelter, each putting in roughly $6.5 million for the $13.2 million site. Long Beach’s portion of the funds are coming from an anticipated surplus in the 2023 general fund ($1 million) and Measure A funds ($2.75 million) for 2023.
In 2024, the City expects to spend $3.7 million on tenant improvements. LA County will provide $2.75 million for these costs while Long Beach will provide $2.95 from Measure A funds.
The 2023 Point in Time Count found 3,447 people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, a 4.6% increase from 2022.
Each year, Long Beach staff has searched for a different location to provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. The first location for this year was at the former Community Hospital.
The building was leased by the City and housed 81 people a night from early December to the end of April. The City’s lease at Community Hospital came to an end on April 30, 2023 and staff had already negotiated plans to use the former Long Beach Rescue Mission Thrift Store.
The building at 702 W. Anaheim St. had been used as a homeless shelter previously and the property was listed as on the market for sale, according to City documents.
Long Beach city staff held an informational meeting on April 13 to inform the community about the project, according to staff reports.
Long Beach City Council approved a local state of emergency on Jan. 10, 2023, due to the rapidly rising number of people experiencing homelessness. The proclamation has removed much of the “red tape” of bureaucracy and has allowed the city to expedite changes.
Due to these changes, City staff said they were able to acquire the property in less than three months; “record time,” according to multiple City workers.
Throughout the year, the shelter will provide three meals a day, showers, restrooms, onsite case management and a bed for homeless residents.
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