The theme for our newsletter this month is homelessness. Our District Office Director, Jack Cunningham, and I recently authored an editorial on this very important issue. I want to expand on the editorial a bit so that our residents know what the City is doing in regards to the issue.

Homelessness is indeed a serious and timely issue. It is serious for the Third District, for Long Beach, for California, and the nation, so when seeking out solutions it is important to understand that we are not alone as we work to address this issue. Everyone is grappling with this complicated problem that overlaps with countless concerns ranging from the housing shortage, the economic recession, education, addiction, criminal justice, mental health, city and state law, societal shifts, and availability of resources. With these many factors coming in to play, and with each individual homeless person having different needs, there are countless approaches and philosophies that could have an impact on reducing homelessness.

Recently we have seen a change in the faces of our Long Beach homeless. Yes, mental health, poor education, lack of opportunity are all still very common, but the current population of homeless are more likely than in previous years to be young and addicted to drugs or alcohol. This change comes on the heels of Proposition 47, and a nationwide increase in addiction, making it increasingly common for people to be homeless not because they lack the ability to work, are unable to find housing, but because they are instead choosing to live outdoors as a kind of urban camper, where they are not responsible for paying rent, or maintaining a job and instead choose to panhandle or engage in minor property theft to sustain their needs and often addictions.

Here in Long Beach we are truly among the best regional entity at providing resources and opportunities for homeless people to get off the street. We have dedicated police officers who work with various agencies including CalVet, the Health Department, Department of Mental Health, and various homelessness service providers that conduct outreach to homeless individuals and encourage them to accept the services they are eligible for to help get them off the streets. We have an interdepartmental team with Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Marine who work collaboratively to address areas of ongoing concern as well as many nonprofits and faith-based networks that offer supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. The city has made particularly good strides in addressing veteran homelessness resulting in a functional end to veteran homelessness in Long Beach. The city has also committed to a housing first pilot program that reduces the necessary hurtles for those seeking housing by providing them housing first and then getting them into the necessary programs that help to keep them housed second, like rehabilitation and jobs training.

Since 1995, the Long Beach Health Department has led the Long Beach Continuum of Care. The Continuum of Care is a body funded by HUD that coordinates housing and services for homeless families and individuals, and that recently received $6.9 million from HUD to support their work to provide services. Also led by the Long Beach Health Department, is the Multi-Service Center which is a facility that houses twelve public and private partner organizations working together to promote self-sufficiency and rebuild the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Annually, the Multi-Service Center averages 26,000 client visits, making this facility the primary point of entry for persons seeking homeless services assistance in Long Beach. Services range from basic amenities, to showers, laundry, mail and message center, to street outreach, van shuttle, transportation, medical care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS services, integrated case management, and housing coordination. The mission of the MSC is to provide comprehensive supportive services to promote progress towards permanent housing and self-sufficiency, by creating a community where health, safety, and well-being are established.

I list all this not to say that the city has exhausted all options, but simply to illustrate that Long Beach is incredibly active in addressing homelessness, and it is important that the community be aware of the incredible work that is being done daily to fight homelessness. However, Long Beach's current approach is only one of many. Our City Council and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently voted to ask the state Assembly and Senate to urge the Governor to declare a state of emergency due to California's homeless crisis, and Assembly Majority Whip Miguel Santiago and Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting have jointly introduced House Resolution 56 requesting the Governor to declare a state of emergency on homelessness. This is an issue being felt up and down the state, and now is a critical time for Long Beach to address homelessness along with all other cities in the state. Although the 2015 Long Beach homeless census measured a decrease in individuals experiencing homelessness, it is expected to increase in 2017.

Cities, individuals, and organizations throughout the nation have been working to address homelessness. This issue is incredibly complex and exists in the reality that being homeless is not a crime, but many of the issues and practices associated with homelessness are. As we move forward with seeking solutions we must acknowledge that homeless people have the same rights as everyone else. And the manner in which we approach this issue whether it be harsher penalties for panhandling, increased enforcement of beach and park hours, more outreach, environmental changes that make loitering or sleeping in public less appealing, the right to rest, sit-lie ordinances or any other suggestion, must protect individual rights, and improve the quality of life for Long Beach residents.

So, I am asking for your input on this issue: what are solutions you have seen utilized by other cities or organizations that may be useful for Long Beach? The city is not too proud to think we have all the answers, so we hope that if there are creative or impactful ways you have seen homelessness addressed, please help us by being a part of the solution and contact my office with your ideas and suggestions at district3@longbeach.gov. Also, I invite you to join the conversation at our July community meeting, which will be dedicated to the topic of homelessness. The meeting will be held on July 27th at 5:30 pm at the Seaport Marina Hotel.