Hundreds of Long Beach residents have made their way to city council and budget meetings over the last month plus, while thousands more have signed petitions and sent in letters to let the City know their priorities for the 2026 budget.
While people from all groups and backgrounds took part in this year’s budget process, the Signal Tribune has been focusing on three resonant demands from local nonprofits. The “Our Budget, Our Future” coalition began in July, and remained steadfast in their requests: $2.2 million for the Long Beach Justice Fund, $2 million for eviction defense and $400,000 for the community land trust.
As immigration raids continue to terrorize communities, the Justice Fund is a critical lifeline of support for Long Beach’s immigrant families. With many people afraid to leave their homes due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, thousands have been unable to work or pay their rent, raising the danger of evictions. Organizers were clear in the connection between affordable housing and eviction defense, and the fear immigrants are facing.
Through town halls, rallies, public calls to action, a petition and much more groundwork behind the scenes, these demands serve as a reminder how clear, organized requests are met by City officials.
On Tuesday evening, the approval of the 2026 budget saw these requests acknowledged, but not fully met.
Justice Fund
The ask: $2.2 million.
What they got: $1.9 million.
How much will be rollover from this year? Roughly $1 million.
ÓRALE (Organizing Rooted in Abolition, Liberation and Empowerment) has been asking the City to allocate $2.2 million in new, structural funding to the Long Beach Justice Fund. The Filipino Migrant Center and United Cambodian Community echoed these demands throughout the budget season, as they also use this funding to provide legal and basic needs assistance to immigrants facing deportation.
At the start of the budget season, Mayor Rex Richardson announced a $1.8 million allocation to the Justice Fund, but most of that money was being rolled over from 2025. That money is already in the process of being contracted out to legal vendors, a spokesperson from ÓRALE said at a Sept. 2 budget hearing.
Long Beach was only allocating $600,000 in new funds to the Long Beach Justice Fund, as part of the Mayor’s recommendations. During the final budget hearing, the new funding was bumped up to $999,888. The Long Beach Justice Fund now has a budget of $1.9 million heading into next year, though nearly $1 million of this is rollover funds.
Another longtime ask from immigrant advocates is for longterm, structural funding, meaning that funding is a guaranteed part of the City’s budget going forward. Only $269,888 is structural, the same organizations will have to advocate for more again next year.
“This kind of support has long been needed and, as the attacks on our communities continue, we know that there will only be a greater need,” an ÓRALE spokesperson told the Signal Tribune. “To ensure support is provided when needed, the city needs to improve implementation for the programs it funds. There is urgency in the community’s needs, and the city’s needs to match it.”
Eviction Defense
The ask: $2 million; $1.5 million for legal services and $500,000 for settlement funds.
What they got: $2 million.
How much will be rollover from this year? Between $120,000 and $160,000.
LiBRE (Long Beach Residents Empowered) is one of the City’s main support systems for residents facing evictions through its Tenant Right to Counsel program. This provides residents with free legal representation so they can fight in court against illegal evictions and stay in their home.
The nonprofit also helps residents with settlement funds, meaning the landlord receives money for any rent owed, which can help a tenant stay in their home without ever having to go to court.
LiBRE was pushing for $1.5 million for the City’s Tenant Right to Counsel program, which won’t go directly to the nonprofit, but rather citywide tenant protections. The City of Long Beach contracts its program with Stay Housed LA, meaning these funds are used by the county in partnerships with organizations like LiBRE to reach Long Beach residents.
According to LiBRE, about 80% of these funds will be used on legal assistance and contracted out, while less than 20% will go to nonprofits like LiBRE to reach out residents and educate them on their options. This is especially important since immigration raids and the fear of ICE has renters fearful to fight for their rights, and dreading the idea of going to court.
Another $500,000 will go specifically to settlement assistance, which is often the first line of defense and least traumatic for renters. This is also under the Stay Housed LA umbrella.
Between $120,000 and $160,000 of these funds are rollover from this year, and are already in the process of being used. LiBRE said they are confident that the entire $2 million will be used over the course of a year.
“We are grateful for the allocations toward eviction defense, both through new funds and the remaining rollover,” a spokesperson from LiBRE said to the Signal Tribune. “We will also be looking at the mid-year budget review and request additional resources, particularly if County Measure A brings new funding to the city, so the program can expand to meet the scale of the crisis.”
In August, Richardson announced a slew of budget recommendations aimed at helping the immigrant community, and part of this included $2.5 million for shallow rental subsidies and “flexible homelessness prevention.”
LiBRE told the Signal Tribune that to their knowledge, these programs would not be a part of LiBRE’s work, but likely a new program run by the City, which will take time to build up.
Community Land Trust
The ask: $400,000.
What they got: $200,000.
LiBRE’s community land trust nonprofit, the Housing for All Long Beach Community Land Trust, is hoping to acquire land that will then be leased to the community to create longterm, affordable housing.
Advocates were requesting $400,000 in order to provide outreach and education so residents are prepared to enter into ownership once the land becomes available.
The City did not budge on its funding for the community land trust, and it remains at the $200,000 originally allocated.
Luckily, the nonprofit was not relying on these funds to acquire land, but now the need lies in education and outreach.
