Supporting Economic Mobility for Indigent and Unhoused Long Beach Residents

Affordable housing and homelessness

Long Beach

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The number of Long Beach residents living on or below the poverty line has exploded by more than 50% since 2020. The needs of unhoused, indigent, and very low income residents are acute, multifaceted, and typically go unmet due to layered barriers to access.
COA addresses these barriers by alleviating the most acute basic needs like hunger and hygiene while supporting constituents in improving their lives in 'softer' ways.
Many individuals with the greatest need have the fewest resources to identify and go through processes needed to connect with formal services. By providing regular hot meals and access to fresh food as well as support, free home furnishings, diapers, feminine hygiene supplies, pet food, and other basics not covered by SNAP or WIC, we provide for immediate needs while shoring up our constituents' resources to allow them to find or remain in permanent housing, further their education, tackle addiction, and take other steps to stabilize their families into the future.

HOT MEALS PROGRAM: serves 380,000+ free hot meals to individuals in need. Breakfast is offered 7 days a week; hot lunch 5 times per month; and dinner Monday - Friday.
FOOD BANK: provides access to a Food Bank, Monday - Friday from 10am - 12pm. On Wednesdays, this service is limited to older adults (age 55+) to address food insecurity among the growing population of impoverished seniors in our community.
DIAPER BANK: provides free diapers to underserved families with young children.
HYGIENE KITS: provides comprehensive hygiene kits as well as feminine products, adult diapers, and blankets.
CLOTHING BANK: provides free clothing to anyone in need every Wednesday, no documentation required.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS: provides free household items including furniture and appliances to disadvantaged individuals.
PET FOOD BANK: COA provides free pet food alongside the Food Bank to assist constituents in providing for their pets.
PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS: activities and programs include communal meals, playing bingo with prizes, live entertainment, special guest speakers, health and wellness enrichment, and grocery support.
HOLIDAY SUPPORT: focusing on not only providing crisis support for those we serve, COA strives to ensure that the holidays are a joyful time for all members of our community. Typically, these serve more than 300 families and 1,500 children with gifts, toys, and food.
AGENCY REFERRALS: support to underserved residents who may need assistance in accessing formal services.

25% of households in L.A. County—approximately 832,000 households—experienced food insecurity as of October 2024.
More than 15% of the population of Long Beach falls under the federal poverty level - a higher percentage than LA County on the whole, and significantly higher than the State of California on the whole.
With support from LA 2050 in meeting the most immediate and acute needs of this rapidly growing population, we will improve the economic mobility of the broader community by helping at-risk residents remain housed, working, and independent. We will improve the quality of life for those we serve through community connection and holiday support/celebrations. Providing hot meals and food allows at risk families to redirect their income to pay for rent, transportation, healthcare and other living expenses. Increasing food security reduces the risk of homelessness. Children and seniors living in poverty and hunger will have better health and education outcomes.