Long Beach residents are about to lose a key resource in accessing city services. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the Long Beach Resource Line will be discontinued after September 30. The service, which started during the pandemic in 2020, has been unable to secure ongoing financial support following the exhaustion of temporary funding sources, including initial federal COVID-19 relief funds. This information comes directly from a statement released by the city.
The Line was a critical part of the City’s public health and emergency response during the pandemic, quickly becoming a trusted source of information for residents needing to quickly connect with essential services. Over its lifespan, it fielded over 10,000 calls and was able to make nearly 9,415 connections to resources like housing, food access, mental health resources, and more. A testament to its utility and the gap it will leave behind as acknowledged by city officials.
With the imminent cessation of this service, Long Beach residents will be directed to other resources. The Health Department is encouraging people in need of assistance to reach out to 2-1-1 LA, a nonprofit providing free, confidential information and referrals to essential services. The Unite Us Resource Referral Map is another recommended tool; it's a free, online hub where Long Beach residents can to easily search for local health, housing, food, and social services. More information can also be found on the Health Department’s website or by contacting them directly at 562.570.4000, and updates can be followed on their social media handles like @LBHealthDept on Facebook and Instagram.
Thankfully, the closure of the Resource Line has not led to any layoffs. Staff impacted by the program’s end have been reassigned to other roles within the Health Department. This transition appears to have been managed without disruption to the workforce, according to the city's announcement. The sunset of the service also wasn't related to any federal funding policy changes by the current Presidential Administration.
Concerns and media inquiries regarding the closure should be directed to the Health Department’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected]. As of now, with the final days ticking down, Long Beach’s administration is attempting to smooth the transition for residents who have come to rely on the now-defunct Resource Line.
