The Long Beach City Council has made significant strides in addressing the local housing crisis by approving over 5,000 new homes in the past three years. In a recent announcement, details emerged about the city's progress in increasing the housing supply, including both market-rate and affordable housing units tailored for various income levels, veterans, and older adults. Mayor Rex Richardson highlighted the broader impact of this endeavor on the city's economy: "These more than 5,000 entitled homes represent a significant investment in Long Beach, strengthening our tax base, supporting local businesses, funding City services, and creating jobs." The statement, obtained by the official Long Beach City government website, indicates wide community support for the initiative.
From the beginning of 2023 to the end of November 2025, Long Beach granted entitlements for 5,210 housing units, with 1,117 earmarked as affordable. This rate of approval showcases a 147% increase from the previous three-year cycle. To directly compare, only 2,111 units were approved from 2020 to 2022. This marked increase is paralleled by rising housing starts, which are also to continue robustly into the following year. Moreover, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have been a particularly important way of expanding housing supply, fitting seamlessly into the city's urban fabric with a record 747 ADU building permits issued in 2024 alone.
The City forecasts that this upward trend in housing development will carry on into 2026, with the construction of affordable housing developments already lined up. Among these are The 101, with 51 apartments for formerly homeless people, 300 Alamitos offering 81 apartments for low-income older adults, and Habitat for Humanity townhomes providing a pathway for low-income families to achieve homeownership. These projects aim to address the varied needs of Long Beach residents and contribute to a more inclusive community.
Looking to the future, Long Beach is poised to break ground on five additional housing projects in 2026, including The Armory Arts Collective and AMCAL Linden Apartments, further bolstering the city's commitment to affordable housing. According to Christopher Koontz, Director of the Community Development Department, "Every single one of those units matters. It's life-changing for families." His words, echoed from the official Long Beach City website, encapsulate the transformative potential that these new homes hold for many families in the area.
For residents and prospective homebuyers looking for more details, the City has provided resources both for general development planning and specific information on upcoming affordable housing. These can be explored further on the Planning Bureau's and Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau's respective webpages. As Long Beach continues to grow and evolve, these efforts in expanding the housing supply represents a proactive approach to shaping a city that honors the diversity and needs of its community.
