Long Beach’s latest Point-in-Time Count found homelessness continued to increase in 2026, even as city officials pointed to gains in shelter capacity and permanent housing placements as evidence that their strategy is working.
The annual count identified 3,729 people experiencing homelessness, up from 3,595 in 2025 — a 3.7% increase. It marks the highest total recorded in at least six years.
While the overall number increased, the report also showed some encouraging trends. The number of people staying in shelters or interim housing rose from 989 to 1,141, while the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness declined slightly from 2,606 to 2,588…