The city of Long Beach opened its first homeless shelter specifically for young adults on Tuesday. Officially named the Youth Shelter and Navigation Center, it has 12 beds open to those aged 18-24 — often called transitional-age youth.
The city already has young people lined up to take the beds, said Paul Duncan, Long Beach’s homeless services bureau manager. The shelter will likely begin housing youth within the next month, he added.
Link
Duncan said that “youth in places that do not have youth-specific beds feel uncomfortable,” and often seek other forms of shelter that may not be as safe.
Formerly the 2020 and 2021 winter shelter — which provided nighttime shelter with 45 beds — the Youth Shelter has since been remodeled to better suit the needs of homeless young adults, with amenities including updated showers and a kitchenette. The project, which began in summer 2023, cost $6 million, which was specifically set aside to combat youth homelessness.
Located at 1718 Hayes Ave. in an industrial area of West Long Beach, the Youth Shelter will be operated by the local nonprofit April Parker Foundation, according to CEO April Parker…