Bits 'n' Pieces

Expansion of Community Crisis Response Team

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced a citywide expansion of the Community Crisis Response (CCR) team, which responds to a subset of calls-for-service where mental health support, health education and resource navigation could support the safety and health outcomes for community members at the center of calls.

The CCR team, which first started as a pilot program in West Long Beach in 2023 before expanding to the downtown area in early 2024, will now serve the entire city.

The team operates weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provides immediate mental health support, crisis intervention, de-escalation services, health education and resource navigation assistance. The program’s citywide expansion comes as a result of collaboration with the Police Department and community stakeholders who identified the need for broader service areas beyond the original pilot regions.

CCR is an interdepartmental effort among several city departments, including health, fire, police and disaster preparedness and emergency communications. Dispatch operations are managed through the Emergency Communications Center via the Long Beach non-emergency line, available at (562) 435-6711, where call takers identify appropriate calls for a health-based response, ensuring efficient routing to CCR.

Since launching in July 2023, CCR’s singular team has provided support for more than 863 community members, supporting those experiencing mental health crises, substance use concerns, public disturbances and resource navigation needs. To date, 59% of calls have been resolved on-scene, with 58% of calls leading to direct resources and supplies such as food, water, harm reduction and clothing, 25% resulting in referrals to other support services to support the needs of the community member, 11% receiving transportation services, and only 6% requiring assistance from other public safety services such as the Long Beach Police Department and Fire Department or other Emergency Medical Services.

For more detailed data, CCR also maintains a publicly accessible data dashboard to provide real-time program performance metrics and promote transparency.

“The expansion of CCR reflects the program’s proven impact and effectiveness,” said Health and Human Services Director Alison King. “We’re proud to offer community members a compassionate response to crises and are committed to expanding our reach to meet the city’s needs.”

Funding for CCR comes from a combination of state grants and local funds. This includes a $1 million, two-year grant awarded in 2024 through the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, which expires in September 2026 and was awarded through a competitive grant process.

Community members who may be seeking ways to support someone through connection to services or who are seeking referrals related to mental health or basic needs support, are encouraged to call the city’s nonemergency line at (562) 435-6711. This line is answered by the city’s Emergency Communications Center. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis requiring immediate attention is encouraged to call 9-1-1.

For more information about the CCR team, people may visit longbeach.gov/CCR.

LimeGlider Launched

Lime, a leading provider of shared electric vehicles globally, announced Long Beach will be among the first cities in the world to officially launch its LimeGlider vehicles, following a successful pilot in select cities around the world in 2024. LimeGliders are available alongside Lime e-scooters up to a fleet of 100 throughout the city.

The Glider is designed for riders who may have difficulty pedaling for extended periods, as well as those looking to replace car trips with a more comfortable, two-wheeled option. With a citywide rollout, Gliders will support longer trips and expand access to car-free mobility.

In May, Lime launched its e-scooters for riders to use along Long Beach’s iconic beach bike path. Lime has served the City of Long Beach since 2018, and in that time over 600,000 riders have taken over 2.4 million trips.

The LimeGlider is Lime’s newest vehicle innovation. It features a striking green and black livery, a departure from Lime vehicles’ traditional white and green color scheme. The LimeGlider is an evolution of Lime’s current vehicle offerings, combining seated comfort with the effortlessness of a scooter.

City Opens Youth Shelter and Navigation Center

The City of Long Beach hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 6 to celebrate the completion of the Youth Shelter and Navigation Center (YSNC), a permanent shelter facility for youth experiencing homelessness. The facility provides temporary shelter and supportive services for youth ages 18-24, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to address homelessness.

The YSNC, at 1718 Hayes Ave., provides essential, year-round support for transitional-age youth. This 12-bed housing first shelter offers 24/7 care grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices. Services include case management, housing navigation, three daily meals, hygiene access and connections to long-term housing and wellness resources.

The program supports both transitional and permanent housing pathways, beginning with a 90-day enrollment period that may be extended as youth work toward lasting stability and self-sufficiency.

The facility includes restrooms, showers, laundry, a kitchenette and a lounge area, offering a healing-centered space for youth to rebuild. Participants are referred through the city’s Multi-Service Center or Mobile Access Center and receive transportation assistance and an introduction to available services upon entry.

With 90 transitional-age youth identified as experiencing homelessness in Long Beach’s 2025 count, the center responds to a critical community need and reflects a shared commitment to dignity, equity and a brighter future for Long Beach youth.

The project began in response to the city’s homelessness emergency, highlighting the urgent need for housing solutions and demonstrating the city’s commitment to repurposing underutilized properties into meaningful spaces. Renovations on the 5,400-square-foot center began in January 2024, turning a vacant building into a safe, welcoming space with a fully remodeled interior, upgraded amenities and improved exterior features, including a pet relief area.

“Addressing youth homelessness is crucial because young people experiencing homelessness are at higher risk for mental health issues, substance abuse, trafficking and long-term chronic homelessness,” said Alison King, director of DHHS. “Early intervention can significantly improve their future stability and well-being.”

The YSNC was developed as part of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program, available to cities, counties and continuums of care with flexible funding to prevent and end homelessness in their regions. The project received $1.8 million from Measure A funds, $900,000 from the state’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program (administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development) and $1.4 million from State AB32 funds.

Long Beach residents can support youth in need by donating essential items at any open Long Beach Public Library location during regular business hours or at the following sites:

Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach (3635 Long Beach Blvd.), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Scherer Park Community Center (4654 Pasadena Ave.), Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m.

Public Input on Water Resources Plan  

The Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD) is inviting public feedback on its Water Resources Plan (WRP). The purpose of the WRP is to outline a long-term strategy for water supply management to ensure a sustainable water future. The plan outlines the following objectives for community consideration:  

• Ensure clean, safe and high-quality water for all customers 
• Deliver water services in a sustainable, equitable and cost-effective manner 
• Provide reliable water supply service to customers across all parts of the service area 
• Increase resiliency of the water system during droughts and unexpected disruptions 
• Protect and enhance the local and regional environment through multi-benefit projects

The online survey is available now through Monday, Sept. 1, on LBUtilities.org/WRP. The survey is also available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.