Long Beach Starts Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness

Last night, I was in Long Beach as a member of their Working Group to develop their Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness—they are calling it “Within Our Reach: A Community Partnership.” Click here to read more about the plan. I was invited to be a member of this group since I grew up in Long Beach and much of my family still live there.

This large beach city has 4,470 people who are homeless. 43% of their homeless population are chronically homeless—meaning they have been homeless for more than a year or have been homeless four times in the last three years.

The Working Group represented all segments of the community. They seemed excited about developing a practical plan to address homelessness.

They immediately set up working subcommittees to address the following:

• Housing
• Review of Other Community 10-Year Plans
• Planning and Building
• Outreach
• Community Education
• Coordination of Continuum of Care System
• Funding
• Prevention Strategies
• Data Analysis
• Community Focus Groups

This community effort is organized, focused, and has mobilized key stakeholders. They are on their way…