To assist people experiencing homelessness in a more strategic fashion, Long Beach has begun to centralize its emergency response efforts for the next three weeks in the Downtown area. This mobilization includes expanding street outreach and deploying a Mobile Access Center (MAC) vehicle to offer direct services to the city’s unhoused population.
These efforts were announced in a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 17 by Mayor Rex Richardson and other City leaders in an update regarding the recent homelessness state of emergency declared by Long Beach City Council on Jan. 10.
“This focused activation in our downtown area is critical to our overall emergency response. It allows us to reach more people experiencing homelessness and get them into shelter and connected to services,” Richardson said in a statement from the City. “We must be strategic during our emergency response, lower barriers to services and meet people where they are.”
The MAC vehicle recently deployed downtown is intended to lower barriers to case management services and other resources, as it allows Homeless Services Bureau outreach staff to start the intake process directly on the street.
The vehicle includes much of the resources available at the Multi-Service Center (except showers, a full-scale medical clinic and services from co-located nonprofits) and is operated by outreach staff and a public health nurse. The MAC will travel through various city locations with high concentrations of people experiencing homelessness and a second MAC vehicle will be employed later this year.
In addition to the City’s efforts to combat homelessness in Downtown, Long Beach is launching a donation campaign to fundraise for the Mayor’s Fund for Homeless Action. Donations from residents, businesses and community organizations will support grants to local organizations that address significant needs of the homeless population.
The goal of the Mayor’s Fund is to begin localized efforts to support people experiencing homelessness through outreach, connections to housing as well as supplies and opportunities.
Donations to the Mayor’s Fund will assist in relocation assistance, shelter services, transportation assistance, critical infrastructure improvements and more.
Funds are administered by the Long Beach Community Foundation which will use the funds for traditionally under-funded aspects of homelessness services, such as prevention.
The City is also accepting physical donations for people experiencing homelessness, which could include:
- Hygiene kits with items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, dental floss, feminine products, shaving cream and razors.
- Pet care kits that include items such as pet treats, collars, leashes, pet toys or collapsible pet bowls.
- Backpacks with needed items such as hand warmers, flashlights, battery packs, batteries (usually D batteries), emergency blankets and charging cables.
- Gift cards to places such as Target, Walmart, McDonalds, Taco Bell, In ‘N’ Out, Dunkin Donuts and grocery stores.
- Food items such as canned food, bottled drinks like juices or water, snacks such as granola bars or power bars, instant oatmeal, instant soup, fruit and vegetables.
- Unused clothing items such as sweatpants, shirts, beanies, socks, underwear, scarves, caps, hoodies, towels or blankets.
Community members can also purchase items on the Homeless Services Bureau’s Amazon Wishlist.
Items may be dropped off at the Multi-Service Center (MSC), located at 1301 W. 12 St. on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (except Thursdays when the MSC closes at 2 p.m.). Additionally, the MSC closes to the public each day from noon to 1 p.m. Appointments prior to dropping off are recommended; for appointments, call 562.570.4MSC.
For additional information regarding the City’s homelessness outreach efforts, residents may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media.
