This opinion editorial was written by Sharnyle Gonzales. Sharnyle is a dedicated social work professional with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, Long Beach. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in social change and innovation at the University of Southern California, she has extensive experience in education, housing and community development. With five years in the nonprofit sector and prior experience in the Long Beach Unified School District, she has provided supportive services to diverse populations, including individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, transitional-age foster youth, low-income families and children, seniors, veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Long Beach is facing a crisis that cannot be ignored: homelessness and housing insecurity. Despite Long Beach’s first reported decline in homelessness since 2017, the city’s housing crisis is far from over.
Thousands remain unhoused, and even more low-income residents, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), continue to struggle with housing insecurity and limited access to essential health services. While the city has made strides in developing affordable housing, one crucial element is still missing — integrated healthcare and supportive services. Without addressing the intersection of housing and health, we are setting up vulnerable residents for failure.
As someone who was born and raised in Long Beach and has worked in the housing and community development field, I have seen firsthand how the lack of on-site services — such as medical and mental health services, financial capability support, workforce development and digital access — keeps people trapped in cycles of homelessness.
Pursuing my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California with a concentration in social change and innovation, I understand that housing alone is not enough. If we want to create lasting change, we must invest in permanent supportive housing models that integrate critical health services.
Long Beach’s 2024 Homeless Count reported 3,376 individuals experiencing homelessness — a 2.1% decrease from the previous year and the first reported decline since 2017. While this reduction is a positive sign, it does not signal the end of the crisis. Of the people counted, 2,455 were unsheltered and 921 were in temporary or emergency housing. Even those who secure shelter often struggle with severe health conditions that make long-term housing retention difficult.
Many individuals experiencing homelessness have underlying long-term trauma and chronic health issues, including untreated severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and physical or developmental disabilities. These conditions are not only prevalent among unhoused individuals, but they also create significant barriers to stability.
According to the Long Beach 2024 Homeless Count, 53.3% of individuals cited severe mental illness, eviction, substance use, and disabilities as key factors of their homelessness. Without access to supportive services, many struggle to regain stability. Additional barriers such as lack of transportation, financial constraints and systemic racial inequities further hinder access to healthcare.
The problem is even worse for low-income BIPOC residents. Systemic inequities have led to higher rates of eviction, housing discrimination, and limited access to healthcare. Black residents, who make up approximately 12% of the city’s population, account for nearly 33% of its unhoused community.
Additionally, Latinx and multiracial individuals also comprise a substantial and growing portion of the unhoused population. Without a coordinated approach that integrates healthcare, mental health services, and permanent housing solutions, these disparities will persist, pushing more people into homelessness and leaving the most vulnerable to fall through the cracks.
Research consistently shows that permanent supportive housing with onsite healthcare significantly improves health outcomes, increases housing stability, and reduces long-term cost.
Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have implemented successful models that combine affordable housing with medical care, mental health services, and substance use treatment. Long Beach must adopt a similar strategy for its affordable housing developments.
There are already promising initiatives in place. Mayor Rex Richardson has been a strong advocate for addressing Long Beach’s homelessness crisis, promoting initiatives that improve access to both housing and health services for vulnerable populations.
The Long Beach Housing Authority has partnered with nonprofit organizations to expand supportive housing programs, while the Department of Health and Human Services has collaborated with community organizations to provide mobile health services. However, while these efforts have been valuable, they must be significantly scaled up and fully embedded within new affordable housing development to create a sustainable system of support for the city’s most at-risk residents.
Imagine a Long Beach where every affordable housing development includes a community health clinic, case managers, and behavioral health professionals. A city where individuals exiting homelessness can access healthcare without the burden of transportation barriers. This is not just an ideal — it’s an achievable goal if policymakers prioritize health as a fundamental component of housing.
By integrating healthcare into housing, Long Beach can break the cycle of homelessness, reduce health disparities, and build a stronger, healthier community for all residents. We can’t afford to treat housing and healthcare as separate issues when lives are at stake. Housing is healthcare. It’s time we start treating it that way.
