Copyright Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
A winter shelter providing beds, meals and essential services for homeless individuals will be opening in West Long Beach on December 7.
The facility, located at 1718 Hayes Avenue, will be open from 5 p.m. until 7 a.m. seven days a week through March 31. According to City officials, the operating hours may be extended during cold and rainy weather.
Originally anticipated to open on December 1, Interim Deputy City Manager Teresa Chandler said that the opening date was pushed back to ensure that infrastructure updates were completed in the facility. Crews worked through Thanksgiving and are now working 24-hour shifts to get everything done.
The non-profit organization U.S. Veterans Initiative (US VETS), chosen by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), will be operating the shelter for the third year.
The Winter Shelter is funded by LAHSA and is separate from the City’s planned year-round shelter, which will be located at the former site of Atlantic Farms and is scheduled to open in 2020.
There will be three shelter pickup/drop-off locations available—two in Long Beach and one in San Pedro:
14th Street Park, 14th Street and Palmer Court near Long Beach Boulevard
Multi-Service Center, 1301 West 12th Street
Channel Street Park and Ride, 110 Underpass/Channel Street, San Pedro
Those who wish to use the facility will be required to stay on-site until 7 a.m. once they are checked in, and must be transported to and from the shelter from the designated pick-up/drop-off areas.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No walk-ups will be admitted at the shelter.
For more information about homeless services in Long Beach please click here:
http://www.longbeach.gov/health/services/directory/homeless-services/