With rain and cold winds bearing down, Long Beach is rushing to open an inclement weather shelter at the city’s Multi-Service Center, giving people experiencing homelessness a dry, warm place to sleep as the storm moves in. The shelter will run from Sunday through Thursday and will provide roughly 65 overnight beds in separate areas for men and women. Check-in for this activation is scheduled to begin Sunday morning at 8 a.m.
According to a City of Long Beach Facebook post, this inclement weather activation runs Sunday through Thursday, and people do not need a referral or appointment to check in. The city is directing anyone seeking updates or details to the Multi-Service Center or to call 562-570-4500 for more information.
What the Shelter Provides
The inclement weather shelter will offer a cot and blanket, a hot dinner and a light breakfast, access to restrooms and hygiene supplies, and connections to case management and other supportive services. The City of Long Beach describes the activation as low-barrier, with separate sleeping areas for men and women. The shelter can be activated when temperatures are forecast at 45°F or lower, a flood watch or warning is issued, or rain is expected to exceed light showers. As detailed by the City of Long Beach, guests will be asked to leave the site in the morning but may return when regular Multi-Service Center operations resume.
Who Can Check In and How to Access
The activation is intended to be as low-barrier as possible. People can arrive without referrals or appointments and will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the city’s notice. Homeless Services outreach teams will continue to notify people living outdoors about the opening and connect those who want longer-term support with case managers. Service providers and neighbors with questions can call the Multi-Service Center at 562-570-4500 for the latest information.
Outreach and Activation
When the city activates emergency shelter sites, outreach and mobile-access teams coordinate on-the-ground notifications and can assist with transportation or referrals to other services. LAHSA's emergency response guidance likewise recommends calling 2-1-1 to check shelter availability and request help getting to a site, and its shelter inventory lists the Multi-Service Center with about 65 beds.
City officials say they will continue to monitor forecasts and post updates on official channels as conditions change. Residents and service providers looking for resources can call the Multi-Service Center line or follow the city’s social accounts for real-time notices.
