Long Beach is winding down a multi-million dollar shelter project at a Downtown motel that has, since June 2024, temporarily housed scores of people who would otherwise be living in some of the area’s most noticeable homeless encampments.
The city launched the program at the Vagabond Inn at Alamitos Avenue and Second Street as part of a plan to resolve chronic clusters of tents and shanties that clogged a five-city-block stretch that included Lincoln Park, areas around the Metro A Line and sidewalks outside the Billie Jean King Main Library.
Since the operation began, 90 people have moved through the three-story 60-room motel, staying around 182 days each on average, according to data provided by the Long Beach Health Department. Nine have been placed into permanent housing — a resource that’s in short supply, according to Long Beach Homeless Services Bureau Director Paul Duncan…