2024 Long Beach Homeless Count

Frank and Les joined a team of homeless advocates to participate in the annual Long Beach homeless count. We gathered early in the morning at 4:30 am in misting rain along with 300 volunteers and Mayor Rex Richardson before embarking to specific neighborhoods to survey the status of homelessness in our city.

Each year’s count is unique, and this year’s experience stood out because the city had already sent out specialists to cover difficult to reach areas and parks. The area under the freeway underpass had been fenced off by the city to discourage overnight encampment. Consequently, there were relatively few makeshift dwellings. The majority of people experiencing homelessness were already sheltered or living in their vehicles.

We also learned from our fellow volunteers and the path each took to become involved in helping the homeless.