[Scroll down for further.]

Mayor Garcia says he plans to schedule a October 4 Council "study session" [apparently before or during the regularly scheduled Oct. 4 Council meeting] asking city staff to [release text] "update the Council on the current state of homelessness in the city, and to provide a review of progress since the adoption of '5 key community strategies' in 2010.

The Mayor will also ask staff to review the last 10 year plan on homelessness and discuss its successes and areas where the city fell short" adding "the Mayor has expressed his intention to work closely with the Homeless Services Advisory Commission, City Staff and its continuum of care partners, as well as community groups like Friends of Lincoln Park, the DLBA, and many faith-based service organizations."

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In the release, Mayor Garcia states "we need to redouble our efforts with an inclusive approach that involves the whole community in finding solutions." His release notes that [release text] "[t]he most recent count of homeless residents in Long Beach, completed in January 2015, showed an 18% decrease in homelessness over two years. However, with a documented increase in homelessness regionally, the closing of many encampments on the L.A. River, and reports of increased homelessness in several Long Beach neighborhoods, there is a need to refocus and realign citywide strategies."

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The release includes quotes from LB's two downtown Council reps, 1st dist. Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez and 2nd dist. Councilmember Jeannine Pearce along with 3rd dist. SE LB Councilmember Suzie Price. The release quotes Councilwoman Price as saying, "Homelessness is a major challenge for the city and our coastal beaches and marinas. I'm looking forward to a thorough community process that includes a strong role for the Homeless Services Advisory Commission."

Councilwoman Price's most recent district newsletter goes further; it states:

[Price newsletter text] We have received a lot of calls and emails regarding homelessness and the rise in property crimes. As most of you know, we held a meeting on July 27 to focus on bike thefts and homelessness. We had over 150 residents in attendance. It was a productive meeting because we were able to discuss what the City is currently doing to address these concerns and share some of the plans for the future. We were also able to hear suggestions and ideas from the residents, some of them resulting in legislative proposals that our staff is currently working on and planning to bring to the full Council on September 20th. We are hosting another community meeting to talk about homelessness and theft. We plan on having the Police Chief, the City Prosecutor the Health Department and the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department present to answer question and hear your concerns. The meeting will be on Saturday, September 17 at 2 PM at Fire Station 14 (5200 Eliot Ave.)

Councilwoman Gonzalez is quoted in the Mayor's release as saying "It is critical that we focus on the facts, dispel some of the myths and create an action plan to move our City and our residents forward."

Councilwoman Pearce is quoted in the release as saying "I am reminded daily of the struggles that so many Americans face as I ride through the district or walk through Lincoln Park...[b]ut I am thankful for the committed community members who are already doing great work to ensure that people have access to shelter and services. I know we can do more and that our efforts in the city will result with positive outcomes for Long Beach's homeless population."

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Earlier this year, 4th dist. Councilman Daryl Supernaw worked with various levels of government to clear out a homeless encampment in the area of Lakewood Blvd./405 freeway in January 2016 [technically in the 5th district but impacting 4th district residents.] [Coverage via a grassroots 4th district residents blog at this link]

On Sept. 7, 2016, roughly 100-150 ELB / 5th Council district residents assembled on a neighborhood street on Sept. 7 to discuss neighborhood safety in a meeting where city officials were allowed to speak but not control the proceedings. When an LBPD officer assigned to handle homeless and a city staffer tried to steer the discussion toward homeless issues, residents responded that they have compassion for those less fortunate but their concerns are crime and safety...and their neighborhoods are experiencing increased crime that they're not willing to accept regardless of whether it's committed by homeless persons or others. [LBREPORT.com coverage with extended on-demand audio at this link,]

At the neighborhood meeting, 5th dist. Councilwoman Stacy Mungo said she plans to propose -- at Tuesday's Sept. 13 Council meeting -- that the Council budget $500,000 to hire two additional police officers (in addition to 8 officers out of roughly 200 that Garcia asks the Council to restore in FY17) and two additional firefighter-paramedics (to handle the addiction component of homelessness) and to handle what Mungo called "homelessness abatement" matters.

Mayor Garcia's release states:

[Garcia release text] In 2010, the City Council adopted "5 Key Community Strategies" to combat homelessness, which were to increase affordable housing, promote economic stability, provide support services to prevent homelessness, expand participation to all sectors of the community, and use a data and research driven approach. The study session will review the implementation of these strategies and their current status. It will also provide a chance for the Council to ask questions of city staff, and for the community to give input to the Council.

In the past year, Long Beach has provided shelter to 1,738 individuals. Last year, the City reached its goal of eliminating chronic veteran homelessness. The proposed budget also includes a staff position dedicated to exploring innovation and sustainable approaches to improve homeless services in Long Beach.

In July, the City Council joined several other entities in calling on the State of California to declare a State of Emergency on homelessness.

Developing. Further to follow.