Long Beach’s homelessness crisis is continuing to worsen, even after major public spending on shelter, outreach, and housing programs. The city’s latest annual tally found more people living in cars, tents, RVs, and interim housing across Long Beach, underscoring how rising rents and the loss of temporary aid can outpace local response efforts.
What’s happening?
During a three-day count in January, volunteers found 3,729 people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach; LAist reported that was 134 more than the 3,595 counted a year earlier and more than twice the 2019 total.
The data showed a mixed picture. LAist reported that 30.6% of unhoused residents were in shelters or interim housing, up from 27.5%, as the city expanded capacity by 12% to 1,521 beds. Long Beach also said 1,702 people were moved into permanent housing.
LAist noted that the share who became homeless within the last year increased from 10.9% to 12.4%, while the chronically homeless share rose from 46.7% to 58%. Staff at the city’s Multi-Service Center said more than 3,000 new people came through last year, or about 20 to 30 per day.
Why does it matter?
Survey respondents most often cited financial and employment issues as the main reasons they lost housing, followed by family disruption and mental health…