Long Beach Community Development News

Acquisition of 1131 Wardlow Rd

Recently, the Long Beach Community Investment Company Board of Directors voted unanimously to purchase and convert a vacant commercial building at Cerritos Avenue and Wardlow Road into affordable housing. This is a significant stride in meeting the city's goal to develop affordable housing in all parts of the city. The purchase of the property is an opportunity to enhance the fabric of our community with a long term commitment to much needed affordable housing. 

As I have been briefed by Community Development Department, this is an ongoing process that can take well over a year. The proposed development is not set in stone, and the city is actively engaging with a developer to ensure the best possible outcome for the site. As the regulatory power and landowner, the City holds the reins to guarantee that the project aligns with our community's values. 

The units at this site, will be available to families with household incomes between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Many of the households who will be living there are making $26,000 - $90,000, and work in the surrounding community. This commitment to affordability is central to our vision of a diverse and inclusive city. 

I recognize the concerns being raised by our community, and the City and I are dedicated to ensuring that future development on this site respects and honors the unique history of Cal Heights. 

This is a proactive step toward creating a more equitable Long Beach. By providing homes for families with a range of incomes we continue to add to the vitality of our diverse community. As development of this site continues and we find out more information, my team and I will keep you updated via our newsletters. 

We look forward to continuing to build up and support our diverse and inclusive Long Beach community.

- Megan

Long Beach Commissions

District 5 Vacancies

Serve on a City Commission

For those interested in an opportunity to directly serve the community alongside the City Council, a few of our City’s Commissions have openings for District 5 residents. Long Beach’s community-based commissions play a vital role in bringing transparency, change, and growth to the City of Long Beach.

Veterans Commission

The Long Beach Veterans Commission was established in 2017 and housed in the City’s Department of Health and Human Services to: honor Veterans’ service and highlight the many achievements of those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the country; serve as an advisory board to the City Council regarding the well-being of military Veterans in Long Beach; provide recommendations on all matters pertaining to the affairs of Veterans residing within the City; evaluate and recommend programs, policies, and practices to assist Veterans in multiple capacities; and act as a central clearing house for information, programs and services relating to Veterans in the Long Beach community.

If you are interested in serving, please submit your application here. 

Homeless Services Advisory Commission

The City of Long Beach established the Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) in 1988. The HSAC serves at the discretion of the City Council and Mayor to make recommendations on policies, programs and activities related to homeless assistance resources.

The HSAC considers recommendations from the Long Beach Continuum of Care Board and General Membership on matters related to homeless services-related policy, programs, and funding. The HSAC develops recommendations on matters related to homeless services-related policy, programs, and funding. The HSAC receives public comment at its regular monthly meeting on matters related to homelessness within the City of Long Beach. The HSAC submits an annual report to the City Council, containing a summary of highlights and recommendations for the next year. The HSAC meeting schedule is the first Wednesday of every month (unless otherwise noted).

If you are interested in serving, please submit your application here. 

Long Beach Airport

News & Updates

Airport Item at January 23rd Council Meeting

At the next City Council meeting, Item 14 will be brought before Council to approve a subsidy of the unleaded fuel available at LGB, to lower its cost to be competitive with the leaded alternative. This will hopefully incentivize our GA pilots to utilize the safer option by reducing the cost barrier. With the issue of cost out of the way, hopefully our pilots will choose to act in support of public health and safety.

Next week I will be visiting with the Long Beach Aviation Association and continue to reiterate why it is imperative that they be good neighbors. Many of their practices and policies are voluntary, so it is important for us to share with them how their choices affect us. We are a community that should be working together towards a balance. I will also be meeting with our Congresswoman Nannette Diaz Barragan next week to discuss these same topics.

In the months ahead, we look forward to meetings with regional representatives from the FAA and EPA to again impress upon them the severity of our situation and reiterate the need for swift actions and decisions from our federal partners, but in the meantime, we are continuing to do what we can, and will keep you informed as updates arise.

Public Works

News & Updates

Roundabout at 36th & Linden

The Public Works team has begun the process of installing a new roundabout at the intersection of 36th St and Linden Ave. This location was chosen due to increased community concerns around safety, and after traffic studies revealed the benefits of implementing traffic calming measures on the wide street and intersection.

As is standard practice, the roundabout begins with a temporary installation, for further study to be conducted and to allow residents and drivers to get used to the change in traffic flow. We expect the full, landscaped, permanent roundabout to be completed within a year. Improvements to this area will encourage reduced driving speeds and pedestrian safety. 

Parks, Recreation, & Marine

News & Updates

Rosebush Trimming at Rosie the Riveter Park

Today, January 19th, the rosebushes at Rosie the Riveter Park will be receiving their biannual trims. The Parks, Recreation, & Marine Ground Team will be trimming the bushes on the corner of Conant and Clark as is scheduled every two years. Click here for more information about PRM maintenance operations.

Port of Long Beach

News & Events

The State of the Port

At the State of the Port earlier this week, we heard about the wonderful work being done at the Port of Long Beach, to maintain its status as a world class Port of Choice. The Port has proudly stayed ahead of schedule in their emission reduction plans and initiatives, as they work towards zero emissions. Among other important updates, the Port shared their plans for the incoming Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, that will enhance on-dock rail capacity at the Port’s shipping terminals, speeding the movement of cargo and strengthening the Port’s competitiveness. Click here for a brief, informative video on the Port’s role in the global and local supply chains.

They also announced plans for the opening of a new Innovation and Technology Center in the Port’s Administrative Building at the Civic Center Plaza, as a space for education and engagement. The Harbor Department provides sponsorship funds to nonprofit and governmental organizations for community functions and events to help inform the public about the Port. To learn more about these announcements and others, you can watch the full State of the Port video here.

Long Beach Public Library

News & Events

2024 Youth Poet Laureate Program

The Long Beach Public Library, in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach and supported by Urban Word NYC, is launching the 2024 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program. Applications for the program, which brings Long Beach youth the opportunity to enact positive change in their communities through their activism and art, open Monday, Jan. 15 to Long Beach residents ages 13 to 18.

The application period for the Long Beach YPL program will open at 8 a.m. on Jan. 15 and close on Feb. 29 at 11:59 p.m. Youth interested in applying are asked to submit a YPL application, curriculum vitae noting their civic and social engagement experience, and a portfolio of five poems.

The application, templates and submission guidelines, as well as additional program information, are available on the YPL website. Applicants with questions may email Jessica Perez at Jessica.Perez@longbeach.gov or attend virtual office hours where they can receive assistance with the process of compiling their curriculum vitae and portfolio.

LEARN MORE…

Long Beach Commission for Women & Girls

Congratulations, Vanessa!

Congratulations to Vanessa Mosqueda on her appointment to the District 5 seat on the Long Beach Commission for Women and Girls, a commission with the commitment to advocating and advancing the well-being of Long Beach women and girls. Vanessa is an inspiring educator at Cesar Chavez Elementary and a dedicated advocate for marginalized groups. Her educational journey across Southern California reflects her commitment to continuous learning. Her passion for giving back to Long Beach shines through, and we are proud to have her representing us on this commission. We are so happy to have her join the first cohort for the Women and Girls Commission! 

Long Beach Transit

News & Updates

Service Changes in Effect February 4th

Long Beach Transit has three annual service changes, in February, June, and August, to improve the efficiency and on-time reliability of bus schedules. The February service change is planned to take effect on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, and will include service changes for routes including the 131 and 41, both of which pass through or stop in CD5. For a full summary of changes, visit ridelbt.com/servicechange.

For comments or questions regarding LBT’s service, please email comments@lbtransit.com or call the Customer Care team at 562.591.2301.

Long Beach Health Department

News & Updates

Resolve to stay healthy this New Year!

With respiratory virus transmission increasing in Los Angeles County, consider taking simple safety measures, like staying home, testing and getting treatment if sick.

The safest and easiest way to limit your risks of becoming very sick from COVID-19 is by getting the updated vaccine. Testing and knowing if you are infected can reduce your chances of unintentionally spreading COVID-19 to others. At-home COVID-19 tests are easy to use and widely available in Los Angeles County at no cost to you. Learn how to get free test kits at ph.lacounty.gov/COVIDtests. You can order four free At-Home tests here.

If you do test positive, paxlovid, the antiviral medication to treat COVID-19, is widely available throughout Los Angeles County at retail pharmacies:

• At pharmacies, ask if the product is free when placing your prescription.
• If it is not free, ask about the co-pay savings program.
• If you are uninsured or under-insured, find information about a patient savings program at Paxlovid.com.
• COVID-19 treatment remains free through Public Health Telehealth services.

If you need a telehealth appointment or help getting a prescription for COVID-19 medication, call the LA County Public Health InfoLine at 1-833-540-0473 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., 7 days a week.

Additionally, you may notice Licensed Healthcare Facilities that provide Inpatient Care requiring patients and providers to mask again as the Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reached Medium Level.

Masking in these facilities will remain in effect until the COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level in Los Angeles County is below the CDC’s Medium Level for at least 14 consecutive days.

Mobile Outreach Vehicle

Mobile vaccination and mobile testing is being offered as a service for individuals who are not able to travel to Long Beach COVID-19 Vaccination/Testing Clinics, such as those in skilled nursing, elder care, sober living and other facilities, and older adults who cannot leave their homes. Mobile vaccination and testing will be available weekdays for Long Beach residents in an eligible tier with mobility issues and Long Beach facilities.

To request mobile vaccine for residents with mobility issues (in an eligible tier), complete this form or call the Public Health Info Line at (562)-570-4636 (open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. To request mobile testing, complete this form or call the Long Beach Public Health Info Line at (562) 570-4636 (open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Homelessness Emergency Declaration

As we experience cold and wet weather, people who are sleeping out in the open are more likely to seek shelter. Building overhangs and stoops provide protection from the elements for those who have chosen not to come into our city’s winter and inclement weather shelters. People become homeless for a wide variety of different reasons and situations, and it often takes several outreach attempts before services are accepted. If you would like to request outreach to be dispatched to a specific area, please call the Multi-Service Center at (562) 570 4672. 

Long Beach Inclement Weather Shelter Program

The City of Long Beach will utilize its Multi-Service Center (MSC) to serve as an overnight Inclement Weather Shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. The City will activate the emergency shelter site during extreme weather conditions to provide temporary, low-barrier, safe, and supportive emergency shelter to protect individuals experiencing homelessness from severe cold and wet weather conditions.

Community members interested in supporting the Inclement Weather Shelter can donate items for hygiene kits and/or cold-weather items like blankets, coats, socks, sweaters, beanies, gloves, and handwarmers.

The facility will be activated as needed now through March 2024. Read these FAQs or visit longbeach.gov/homelessness for more information.

Long Beach Winter Shelter Program

The Long Beach Winter Shelter is open! Beds were made available as of Tuesday, November 14th. Open now through March 31st, we are able to support over 120 beds this winter at our permanent location, 702 E Anaheim. Inclement weather dictating, the shelter may remain open later into spring as well. 

City Increases Homeless Service Outreach with Mobile Access Centers 

The MAC significantly lowers barriers to providing case management services and other resources for people experiencing homelessness. The schedule below reflects the current schedule as of January 3, 2024, inclusive of both MAC vehicles.

Long Beach Community Development News

Neighborhood Leadership Program

The Community Development Department is pleased to announce that applications are available for the Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP) Class of 2024. This unique free program is offered by the City of Long Beach Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau. The program design and curriculum provide an opportunity for participants to strengthen their linkages with the city, schools, businesses, parents, families, neighborhoods, and community. Since participants are selected from Long Beach neighborhoods, the NLP brings together a diverse group of dedicated neighborhood residents to participate in a five-month experience that facilitates the enhancement of communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership and human relations skills. Additionally, NLP participants enhance their knowledge about our community and the network of available services.

Applications are due Monday, January 29, 2024, at 4:30pm. Visit longbeach.gov/lbcd/hn/leadership for more information and application materials. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please feel free to call Francisco Rodriguez at (562) 570 1010 or email Francisco.Rodriguez@longbeach.gov.

South Coast Air Quality

Management District (AQMD)

Check Before You Burn: A Message from South Coast AQMD

November marked the start of the South Coast AQMD’s annual Check Before You Burn season. From November through the end of February, residents are asked to check whether a No-Burn Day has been declared before burning wood fireplaces to limit emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

A No-Burn Day is a 24-hour ban on wood-burning in residential fireplaces, stoves, or outdoor fire pits in the South Coast Air Basin. South Coast AQMD forecasters call for residential No-Burn Days when PM2.5 is expected to reach Unhealthy levels due to air emissions and stagnant weather conditions.

Click here to learn more and to access public resources for daily forecast information.