Amid a drastic increase in homelessness across Los Angeles County, the number of people without homes in Long Beach rose by just 31 over the past two years, according to figures released Tuesday.
According to results of the 2019 Biennial Homeless Count released by the city, there were 1,894 homeless people in the city, up 2 percent from 1,863 in 2017.
“Homelessness is a statewide crisis that impacts all of us,” Mayor Robert Garcia said. “The data show that Long Beach continues to make progress in housing people in need, but we must do more to get folks into permanent housing and to protect vulnerable populations.”
Long Beach officials said the city saw an 8 percent decrease in the number of chronically homeless individuals, from 686 in 2017 to 632 this year. According to the city, it has found permanent housing for more than 2,150 people over the past two years.
Countywide, figures released Tuesday showed a 12% jump in homelessness over the past year. Officials attributed much of the increase to prohibitive housing costs that force people onto the streets at a faster pace than affordable shelter can be provided.
Long Beach officials noted that their count determined 52 percent of the city’s homeless population are people who reported being homeless for the first time.
City officials noted that plans are already under way for a year-round homeless shelter in north Long Beach, and multiple projects are under construction that will include more than 200 affordable housing units.