Welcome to our City Newsletter!

Greetings!

After almost three years of the COVID-19 pandemic the Long Beach City Council voted to end the City’s local COVID-19 emergency proclamation in alignment with the State of California, and amid a robust vaccine, testing and treatment infrastructure for COVID-19. The City and Health Department will remain dedicated to actively working with federal, state and local agencies to maintain access to vaccines, testing and therapeutics, with the goal of preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 among the community.

We have a Queen Mary update! ICYMI, critical repairs to the Queen Mary continue. New boilers and heat exchangers are being prepared for installation. We anticipate repairs to be completed early Spring.

Construction has also started at our Long Beach Airport's Historic Terminal, which will temporarily close for a year-long renovation that will include a seismic retrofit and restoration of many its classic 1941 design elements. The airport remains open.

Our efforts to address homelessness in Long Beach continues to be a central focus for the City. We are establishing immediate ways to respond to homelessness in our community. In this newsletter issue we have updated information on services for people experiencing homelessness like a temporary warming center, the updated March schedule for our Mobile Access Center, ways people can help and more.

Scroll down to get the latest information and to find out about all the events happening in Long Beach.

Health Officials Urge Continued Vigilance, Continues Providing COVID-19-related Services

In alignment with the State of California, and amid a robust vaccine, testing and treatment infrastructure for COVID-19, the Long Beach City Council approved to end the City’s local COVID-19 emergency proclamation during the Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, Council meeting, effective immediately. The City’s Health Department will continue to manage the necessary resources to address this ongoing public health burden.

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The RMS Queen Mary Gets Closer to Reopening Many Elements of the Ship as Some Key Repairs Are Underway

The City of Long Beach started preparation work for the installation of anticipated new boilers and heat exchangers onboard the RMS Queen Mary. The multi-phase project, which began in late January with the demolition of the existing heat exchangers, piping and electrical pneumatics, is part of the last round of critical repairs required to reopen the Queen Mary’s hotel, restaurants, bars and other onboard amenities this spring.

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Long Beach Airport Temporarily Closes Historic Terminal for Major Renovation

Construction has started at Long Beach Airport (LGB)’s Historic Terminal which will temporarily close for a year-long renovation that will include a seismic retrofit and restoration of many of its classic 1941 design elements. LGB will remain fully open and operational throughout the project.

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The City Announced That There Will Not be a Temporary Emergency Winter Shelter at Silverado Park, and Began Conversations with Community Members Across the City Regarding a Path Forward

The City announced that there will not be a temporary emergency winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness at Silverado Park after hearing community concerns. It was evident that converting a programmed community asset, such as the gym, in an area that does not have a lot of green space would result in significant loss of access of a community asset, even temporarily. However, the City will continue to move ahead with urgency on additional shelter solutions. Discussions with various community members and stakeholders across the City have started to take place to generate solutions and consensus on how we, together as a community, can help people right now with their journey back into housing and supportive services. 

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City of Long Beach to Conduct Enhanced Engagement with Housing Providers to Boost Participation in Housing Voucher Programs

The Housing Authority has launched an internal call center where staff is conducting phone outreach to Long Beach housing providers to inform them of the incentives available to them by participating in the housing voucher programs, including monetary incentives and other resources. Outreach will also include a public education component on housing income discrimination and provide insight on the impactful difference property owners can make in the effort to decrease homelessness in Long Beach by accepting residents with vouchers.

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Multi-Service Center Set up 60 Beds as a Temporary Overnight Warming Center

As a result of the consistent record-breaking cold weather in Long Beach, the City has set up a temporary warming center with 60 beds as of Feb. 26 for people experiencing homelessness. The beds are located at the Multi-Service Center. The beds will be removed every morning ahead of MSC operations, which begin at 8 a.m. on weekdays.

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Long Beach Launches Donation Drive to Support People Experiencing Homelessness

The City has launched a donation drive to collect a variety of essential physical items to provide to community members experiencing homelessness. We encourage everyone who is able to join the effort by donating needed items. Read more

City Launches Applications for Visual Improvement Program Grant

The application for the Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant is now available! This will support local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism on or after October 1, 2022. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover storefront repairs, boarding costs, insurance deductibles and business operating expenses. Read more

City of Long Beach Shares Resources Available to Community for Addressing Issues Related to Homelessness

The City has an active interdepartmental team that works together to develop solutions, create procedures and protocols for street teams and address issues related to community members experiencing homelessness. Connecting people to the right service is critical to ensure positive outcomes for the entire community. Resources regarding who to call, and when, are available by clicking here.

Long Beach Continues Enhanced Homeless Services Outreach, Continues to Deploy Mobile Access Center Through March

We will continue to deploy the Mobile Access Center (MAC) through March, this month focusing on service areas in more parts of Long Beach. This outreach will continue to allow Homeless Services Bureau staff to conduct meaningful engagement and continue to build relationships, an essential component in increasing access to resources and services. 

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You Can Help People Experiencing Homelessness by Volunteering or Donating

Learn of ways you can help people experiencing homelessness in your community. For people experiencing homelessness or having trouble making ends meet, a token of kindness and support can brighten up their lives. Click below to get details on volunteer opportunities and ways to donate items or money.

Get involved!

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