Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
100% Condo Participation Requirement
Owners in historic condo buildings like the Cooper Arms say the requirement that every single unit owner join a Mills Act contract lets one holdout block an entire building. Staff recommends keeping the rule, citing legal concerns and older contracts with sub-100% participation, but commissioners asked for further study of alternatives like supermajority HOA approval.
Substantial remodel loophole and aging housing stock
Advocates say landlords abuse the substantial remodel eviction ground — about 170 notices filed since April 2023, with many more unreported — while the apartment association argues it's a lawful, necessary tool for upgrading housing where 82% of stock predates 1980. Both sides agreed clearer definitions are needed.
FY 2028-2032 HUD Consolidated Plan development
Long Beach is starting the year-long process of writing its next five-year plan for federal HUD money — funds that pay for affordable housing, homeless services, senior meals, after-school programs, and park improvements. Residents can shape it now through a multilingual survey open through March, community sessions in early 2027, and public hearings in the spring.
Affordable housing shortfall
Long Beach has met market-rate housing targets but only about 6% of its 15,000-unit affordable housing need, and applications for large new projects have dropped sharply since late 2024. Commissioners want better tracking of why entitled projects die before construction.
Affordable housing production under Measure A
The city has finished 163 of its 540-unit five-year affordable housing goal, but 669 more units are under construction — meaning Long Beach should exceed its target at 124% once they're done. About half of those units are expected to be completed within the next year.
$4 million in affordable housing awards for North Long Beach
Three developers were selected to create or preserve 119 affordable units in North Long Beach — rehabbing two existing apartment buildings and buying land for 39 new family units. Rehab projects keep current tenants in place and lock in affordability for 55 years, or forever in the land trust's case.
Housing affordability crisis for seniors and people with disabilities
The city has built only about 6% of the affordable housing it needs this cycle, and survey data show seniors and disabled residents face the greatest difficulty finding housing. Commissioners pressed staff on voucher acceptance by landlords, vacant buildings, and adaptive reuse.
Proposition 1 — Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond
An $11.25 billion state bond for affordable housing, veterans' home loans, and homelessness programs. The committee heard arguments for supporting it but ultimately took no position with the election three weeks away.
Peninsula storm recovery and coastal erosion
Hurricane Marie dropped parts of the Peninsula beach by more than eight feet in two days, leaving over half a mile of beach and boardwalk damaged or inaccessible. Councilmember Duggan also pointed to longer-term coastal restoration projects that could better protect the coastline over the next 10 to 30 years.
Housing accessibility and reasonable accommodations
A renter described a landlord who refused to repair hazardous flooring, pressured her to move out, and left her son injured after a fall. The commission took her information to connect her with help.