The City of Long Beach is actively seeking community engagement regarding its bid for state funding that aims to bolster behavioral health services for the local homeless community. Through the State of California’s Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1, the City hopes to secure the capital funding necessary to construct two new facilities focused on addiction treatment and recuperative care.
The community is encouraged to actively participate in a virtual community meeting scheduled for December 2, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. on Zoom. This meeting is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders alike to learn, provide feedback, and to directly ask questions about the projects proposed. In an effort to be inclusive, the City is providing interpretation services in Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog for attendees, as noted by the official announcement. Pre-registration is required for those looking to attend the virtual discussion.
Should the proposition funding come through, Long Beach plans to establish an Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) center and create Community Residential Treatment System (CRTS) beds, both designed with the intention to fill significant gaps within the city's existing behavioral health infrastructure. The proposed OBOT facility is to deliver critical medication-assisted treatment alongside harm reduction and case management services, all centrally located at the Multi-Service Center (MSC). Meanwhile, the CRTS beds are to offer a stable environment for individuals needing transitional support after being discharged from acute medical or psychiatric care, with a goal to prevent hospital readmissions, as depicted in the City's comprehensive memo released ahead of the application deadline on December 13, 2024.
The initiatives are part of a broader strategy to confront Long Beach's ongoing homelessness crisis by connecting vulnerable populations with lifesaving care and a pathway to stable housing. Further details on the City's endeavors and projects can be accessed at the official Long Beach homelessness website and social media channels, while media inquiries have been directed to Alvin Teng, Homeless Strategy and Partnerships Manager, as evident from the press release.
