Falmouth
Michigan
City Of Long Beach Newsletter - February 17, 2023
Government and Politics
February 20, 2023
From: City of Long BeachGreetings!
It's Presidents Day this Monday and certain City facilities will be closed and some services may be impacted. We have the full list of closures below.
ICYMI: We recently announced the appointment of our new Long Beach Fire Department Chief. Join us in congratulating Chief Dennis Buchanan!
Our efforts to address homelessness in Long Beach remains the central focus for the City continuing immediate ways to respond to homelessness in our community. The Long Beach City Council just approved to contract a Los Angeles-based firm, Connect Homes, for the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of 30 to 35 modular non-congregate shelter units (Tiny Homes) to safely house people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. We also have answers to your most frequently asked questions and concerns when experiencing issues with our homeless community.
Scroll down to get more important updates on our homelessness response efforts, resources and find out about events happening in Long Beach.
City of Long Beach Facilities and Services Schedule for Presidents Day
This Presidents Day many City facilities will be closed and some services may be impacted. Get a full list of closures here.
Long Beach City Manager Appoints Dennis Buchanan as Next Fire Chief
City Manager Tom Modica recently announced the appointment of Dennis Buchanan to Fire Chief. Buchanan most recently held the position of Deputy Chief of Support Services with the Long Beach Fire Department and has served the City in the department for over 29 years. As Chief, he will oversee approximately 545 sworn and civilian staff, providing fire and emergency response services spanning four divisions with an annual operating budget of approximately $154 million. Chief Buchanan is the first Black/Latinx Chief of the Long Beach Fire Department. Read more.
Long Beach City Council Approves Allocation of $13 Million in One-Time Funds to Support Homelessness Emergency Response
The Long Beach City Council recently approved the allocation of $13 million in one-time funds from Fiscal Year 2022 year-end results, to support the City’s emergency response to homelessness and various associated priority projects across multiple departments.
Additional Winter Shelter Doubling City's Capacity to Open in West Long Beach in February
The Long Beach City Council recently approved the awarding of a contract to Los Angeles-based firm, Connect Homes, for the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of 30 to 35 modular non-congregate shelter units (Tiny Homes) to safely house people experiencing homelessness.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson to Host Community Forum with Local Housing Providers
As part of the City of Long Beach’s mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing current initiatives and addressing and improving overall public safety for the entire community.
Mayor Rex Richardson will host a community forum with local housing providers where he will share details about the City’s monetary incentives to encourage new owners, landlords and other housing providers to lease up with people assisted through the Housing Authority’s Choice Voucher and Emergency Housing Voucher programs.
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.
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.
Visual Improvement Grants Available for Small Businesses Impacted by Crime and Vandalism
We recently announced the availability of grant funds through the Visual Improvement Grant program, which will support local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism on or after Oct. 1, 2022. This program aims to ease the burden of property crimes and vandalism for small businesses throughout the city, with property crimes as a whole increasing from 2021 to 2022. A total of $350,000 will be available, repurposed from Long Beach Recovery Act funds.
Applications will open on Feb. 22, with more information and online application available at longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants.
City of Long Beach to Host Orientation Sessions for First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program Applicants
The City of Long Beach will open the application process for qualified residents on March 15, 2023, for its First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program, which will provide approximately 100 eligible families with up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Prior to that, during the month of February, the City will host a series of orientation sessions to help residents verify if they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5 to 6 p.m.
- Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave.
- RSVP online to attend
- Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St.
- RSVP online to attend
City of Long Beach Launches Inclusive Business Navigators Program
The City of Long Beach launched the Inclusive Business Navigators Program to provide outreach, workshops, education and direct technical assistance for local small businesses and nonprofits to support their economic recovery from financial hardships and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City selected vendors including CentroCHA, UCC, April Parker, and RightSource Services to provide outreach and assistance to local businesses. More information on these vendors and assistance available can be found at longbeach.gov/biznavigators. Businesses can also access assistance through this program through the BizCare Hotline: 562.570.4249 or [email protected].
Struggling Customers Can Get $100 Credit on Gas Bill
Residential gas customers struggling to pay drastically high winter bills can now apply for a one-time $100 credit, following approval for a new assistance credit program by the Board of Utilities Commissioners Thursday. Any customer can apply for the Residential Gas Assistance Credit. To receive the credit, a customer must fill out an application and sign, under penalty of perjury, attesting that higher than normal gas utility bills have caused them financial strain. Applications are now available at lbwater.org/billhelp.
Long Beach Airport Awards Flight Slots, Announces More Destinations Than Ever Before
Long Beach Airport recently awarded five supplemental flight slots to Southwest Airlines, which today announced new daily, nonstop flights to Albuquerque, Colorado Springs and El Paso. Seasonal service to Maui is also back. Flights go on sale today at southwest.com.
Alamitos Neighborhood Library to Resume In-Person Services Beginning February 21
Long Beach Public Library’s Alamitos Neighborhood branch will resume its regular in-person service schedule beginning Tuesday, Feb. 21. The location has been operating as a To-Go Service only location since summer 2022. Starting Feb. 21, Alamitos Neighborhood Library will operate in-person, full services and with the following schedule:
- Tuesday and Thursday: noon to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday: noon to 6 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday and Monday: Regularly scheduled LBPL closure
Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.) and Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.) will resume in-person services five days per week beginning Tuesday, March 7 and will follow the same schedule as listed above.
The Long Beach Public Library invites the community to join their ongoing virtual author talk series this February. This month’s lineup features three award-winning authors who will dive into bewitching first dates, the bond between food and memory, and resilient Black women.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. with Sadeqa Johnson – Join Kimbilio Fellow and author of NPR’s 2021 Book of the Year, “Yellow Wife,” as she talks about her brand-new novel, “The House of Eve.” Click here
Long Beach Public Library Adds a Fourth Spanish Language Resource to Its Digital Library
Our Long Beach Public Library has added MakeMake (Ma-KAY Ma-KAY), the Spanish language children’s eBook resource, to its Digital Library. MakeMake offers a vast collection of children’s and youth eBooks by Mexican and Central and South American authors, greatly enhancing LBPL’s reading selections for library cardholders with the addition of more than 400 illustrated stories, comics, novels, myths and legends.
Long Beach Continues Partnership with Cal Poly Pomona and the Long Beach Community Design Center to Offer Free Urban Planning Program for Teens
The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is continuing its collaboration with the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design and the Long Beach Community Design Center to present the Young Community Planners of Long Beach program for a second year. The free urban planning program is geared for teens ages 13 to 18 who are interested in city planning and development.
Registration Now Open, Program Begins March 1.
Get Connected to Free and Low-cost Internet Services Now!
If you are looking for free and low-cost internet services get connected through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a federal program provided by the Federal Communications Commission that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
A low-cost internet service plan may be fully covered through the ACP. A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household participates in a benefit assistance program. Speak with a Human-I-T internet specialist and get connected today! Call: (888) 391-7249 Text: (562) 561-2565 or
Email:[email protected]