City of Long Beach's Five-Year Consolidated Plan
The City of Long Beach is developing the next five-year Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) and we want you to be a part of this important process. The Con Plan serves as a comprehensive strategy, that identifies community needs, prioritizes those needs, and details how they will be addressed with funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Con Plan serves as the City’s vision for the next five years.
Join us for two virtual meetings where you’ll have the opportunity to help the City determine which housing, community, and economic development projects and activities in Long Beach should be prioritized and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over the next five years.
Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Join by phone: 213.306.3065
Meeting number (access code): 2491 244 3783
Meeting password: ConPlan1
Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Join by phone: 213.306.3065
Meeting number (access code): 2493 093 7851
Meeting password: ConPlan2
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City Manager Appoints Johnny Vallejo as Acting Director of Economic Development Department
On Tuesday, March 22, City Manager Tom Modica announced the appointment of Johnny Vallejo to Acting Director of the Economic Development Department, effective immediately. Mr. Vallejo has served the City since 2003 and has led several key projects and initiatives in support of the City’s advancements in business development, real estate, workforce development and business operations. The City will conduct a national recruitment to permanently fill the director position.
“Mr. Vallejo has been an incredible asset over the years for the City’s business development,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “I have no doubt he will lead this team to further our efforts in building back our economy and supporting the recovery of local businesses.”
As a director, he will oversee the department’s 85-plus employees with a focus on increasing economic opportunities for residents, investors, and entrepreneurs throughout the city and managing the City’s extensive real estate interests.
Over the past 18 years, Mr. Vallejo has served in various roles including Administrative Analyst, Development Project Manager, and Property Services Officer. In his most recent role as Business Operations Manager for Economic Development, he was responsible for managing agreements for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Queen Mary, and Carnival Cruise Terminal. He has also overseen the financial aspects of the department’s COVID-19 related CARES Act and Long Beach Recovery Act efforts.
Mr. Vallejo also played an integral role in the development of the Economic Development Department and has supported the Department’s efforts to integrate equity and inclusion into its culture, programs, and communications.
“This Department has an incredibly passionate workforce,” said Vallejo. “I’m excited to lead this team and continue our efforts to expand economic opportunities for this amazing and innovative community. I know our team will keep advancing our important work while City leadership conducts a search for a permanent Economic Development Director.”
Mr. Vallejo holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska and a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona. He will not be a candidate for the permanent director position.
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Health Department Develops Equity Investment Framework to Grants and Awards
Hosting meeting for community partners on March 24 to showcase framework and present funding opportunities
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has developed an equity investment framework that will bring an equity lens to grants and awards made through the Long Beach Recovery Act, including grant funds received from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The framework ensures that context, including Long Beach’s history, is considered when awarding money to organizations, and that the funds are structured in a way that increases health and racial equity.
“Long Beach is committed to equity in each aspect of the work we do, and this framework demonstrates that,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “I'm grateful to the Health Department for beginning this process, and I know this will serve as a model across the City and beyond.”
Following feedback provided from CARES ACT funding distribution, the Health Department developed the data-informed, equity-focused, and community-driven framework. This framework strengthens and aligns with Goal 4 of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative which uplifts strategies to "improve health and wellness in the City by eliminating social and economic disparities in the communities most impacted by racism.” The framework will also be applied to bring an equity lens to other funds within the Health Department and can be utilized to make equitable investments across other City Departments.
“We know that many factors, including race and place, play a significant role in health outcomes,” said Long Beach Health Department Director Kelly Colopy. “This framework acknowledges health gaps and identifies ways to invest in organizations that are doing the important grassroots work to build health equity in our communities.”
The Health Department’s data showed that there is an over-representation of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths among those living in poverty and overcrowded conditions, among Black, Latino, and Native Pacific Islanders, and those who were unvaccinated. Data also demonstrated that nearly two-thirds of those hospitalized had diabetes or hypertension as an underlying health condition.
COVID-19 has also had many negative impacts on the community including food insecurity, mental health and trauma, violence (including domestic violence), income loss, exacerbation of chronic illness, grief, and isolation.
To counteract these negative impacts, the Health Department plans to invest in prevention efforts as well as address the negative impacts of COVID-19. The Health Department is working to establish a grant process that is easy to access for a variety of agencies with different capacities to apply and fulfill grant requirements. There will be special attention to maintaining flexibility in awarding grants to support organizations of varying sizes rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. The application process will include evaluation criteria for receiving funding and will identify opportunities for technical assistance and capacity building. The Health Department will be offering learning collaboratives and encouraging all grantees to participate to share practices and to leverage each other’s strengths and relationships across the City.
A virtual community presentation for community partners to discuss the framework and upcoming contracting opportunities will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on March 24. Those interested can register at https://bit.ly/3JoDScY.
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For more information, please contact Mary Frances Torres, SR/WA, Acting Real Estate Development Bureau Manager, Economic Development Department, at mary.torres@longbeach.gov.
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