The Long Beach City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on the use of a West Long Beach warehouse as the location for a winter shelter from December to March.
In recent years, the city’s winter shelter has been located in North Long Beach, including the old North Neighborhood Library branch and a warehouse that is set to become the site of a permanent, year-round shelter.
If approved, the temporary emergency shelter would open at a space at 1718-1722 Hayes Ave., an industrial area of the Westside that is also about a mile north of the city’s Multi-Service Center, which provides wraparound services for those experiencing homelessness.
In order for the city to run the shelter in a space not zoned for habitation, the council will also vote to declare a shelter crisis.
The shelter is scheduled to be open from Dec. 1 to March 31 and be operated by U.S. Veterans Initiative, which will also be in charge of staffing, providing two fails meals, shower services and vouchers.
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As part of the contract the city will not charge rent, but U.S. Vets will need to reimburse the city $13,750 for “utilities and incidental costs for the leased premises,” according to a staff report.
Winter shelters are typically placed throughout the county during this time when the region experiences it’s most inclement weather, according to officials.
Funding for such operations is provided by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority through the county and city of Los Angeles.
Health officials have not yet released pick up locations for busing homeless individuals to the shelter.
The city council will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 411 W. Ocean Blvd.
