The most important stories for you to know today
A unhoused man reads a book inside a 75-bed emergency shelter at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Long Beach, California on April 11, 2020.The reported drop in Long Beach’s unhoused population from this year's point-in-time count is very small, just 2.
1% lower than a year ago. But the city, which last year declared homelessness as a local emergency, is crediting a variety of efforts, including a new year-round shelter and a mobile access center.This year's Long Beach point-in-time homeless count was conducted in the early hours of Jan. 25 with more than 300 volunteers. The difference: 3,376 people identified as experiencing homelessness this January, versus 3,447 people a year earlier. City officials are crediting a variety of efforts.Long Beach declared a local emergency on homelessness in January 2023, after logging a staggering 62% increase in its unhoused population the previous year.The decline is small: just 2.1% overall, the difference between 3,376 people identified as experiencing homelessness in January 2024 versus 3,447 people a year earlier. But city officials are crediting a variety of efforts, including increased outreach, a year-round shelter that opened in June 2023, a mobile access center, and rental and income assistance programs. The city declared homelessness as a local emergency early last year. “These numbers let us know we are on the right track and must continue on in the work,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in an emailed statement. This year’s count was conducted in the early morning of Jan. 25 with more than 300 volunteers, according to the city. More than half of those counted, 53%, said this was their first episode of homelessness. About a third of those counted were living in vehicles. City spokeswoman Jennifer Rice Epstein said she believes the decrease is not solely due to people moving elsewhere. ”People do obviously move along on their own,” she said, “but I really do think it is a result of all of the efforts from the people who are working with people experiencing homelessness.”on Wednesday, which saw the number of unhoused people living on the streets grow to over 30% since 2022. Los Angeles County is expected to release their report in June.The newly released Long Beach count shows a drop in younger and older unhoused populations, including a 49% drop for people 18-24, a 37% drop for minors under 18, a 9.4% drop for people 55-64 and a small drop of 3% for seniors over 65. However, homelessness continued to increase for people 35-44 and 45-54, by 11% and 6.2% respectively. Fewer women were reported as unhoused this year. Increases of close to 40% were noted for transgender and “gender nonconforming” people, however this is partly due to different accounting methods, Epstein said. This year’s count also noted a smaller Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander unhoused population. The Black unhoused population remained stable, while the white unhoused population grew, and the city’s small Native American/Alaska Native unhoused population nearly doubled. The number of homeless veterans increased slightly, although the city says fewer of them are unsheltered, and that new developments will house an additional 78 veterans “ in the coming months.” Long Beach declared a local emergency on homelessness in January 2023 after logging a staggering 62% increase in its unhoused population the previous year.of unhoused people, in particular residents at a converted hotel that drew scrutiny. City spokesperson Epstein said many of those who died there were older and died from natural causes, and that the shelter is being converted to permanent housing and under new operation.According to a city statement, the emergency declaration put in place a number of programs and policies aimed at short-term and long-term solutions: Long Beach homeless services staff increased its outreach; the city launched a text information line for English and Spanish speakers; with L.A. County, the city bought and opened a year-round 85-bed shelter last June. A “mobile access center” with relief services on wheels was launched in January of last year, with a second added last summer, Epstein said. There has also been a push to expand rental assistance and more temporary housing projects in the works.in May 2023, providing $500 a month for 12 months to 250 households. It was extended in January 2024 to include 200 more low-income households with children.Are you experiencing homelessness or did you participate as a volunteer? We want to hear perspectives from all sides about what worked and what officials can do better.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How effective are California's homelessness programs? Audit finds state hasn't kept track wellHomelessness Crisis | Housing advocates demand no budget cuts to solve the homelessness crisis
Read more »
Chicago iconic beach bar Castaways gets new name, facelift ahead of 2024 seasonCastaways Beach Club is located at North Avenue Beach, at 1603 N. Lakeshore Dr.
Read more »
Jacksonville Beach police chief outlines safety recommendations ahead of Beach FestThe Jacksonville Beach police chief outlined recommendations on how to keep people safe ahead of the annual Beach Fest and the official opening of the beaches.
Read more »
Summer of construction: Beach renourishment begins in Jacksonville BeachThe renourishment project will run through the middle of August, covering 10 miles of coastline in Duval County.
Read more »
Preliminary homelessness count shows decrease overall, increase in 1st-time homelessnessNapa County this week released preliminary data showing a decrease in the overall number of individuals experiencing homelessness but a concerning increase in those experiencing it for the first time.
Read more »
Long Beach sees first decrease in homelessness since 2017For the first time in seven years, the city has reported an overall decrease in homelessness.
Read more »