Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Homeless services budget reductions
The bureau is freezing hiring and cutting overtime amid city, state, county, and federal funding pressures. County CoC funding could drop from $8.2 million to a one-time $4.1 million, and state HHAP Round 7 may be halved to $500 million.
FY 2026 federal NOFO litigation
HUD's funding notice has been released, withdrawn, and reopened under court order. Long Beach is choosing the safest path — renewing existing grants as-is — to avoid future federal penalties over housing-first language.
New Budget and Finance Committee for CoC funding oversight
HUD's new funding rules guarantee only 60% of Long Beach's renewal demand, putting roughly $4.9 million of existing homeless services funding at risk in a competitive Tier 2 pool that favors new transitional housing projects. The board approved policies designed to protect permanent supportive housing and position the region to win replacement funding.
FY 27 budget cuts to Office of Veterans Support
The city budget cut the veterans support coordinator from full-time to about 13 hours a week, with $25,000 redirected to the banners program. The original city manager's budget had proposed sunsetting the commission entirely. Commissioners are weighing whether to formally appeal to the mayor, council, and city manager.
LBCIC FY 2026-2027 budget adoption
The housing fund budget of about $7.3 million in expenditures was adopted, boosted by state grants like PLHA, CalHome and the Pro Housing Incentive Program, plus an expanded backyard builders ADU loan program. Revenue estimates jumped from $3.9 million to over $10.8 million thanks to new grant awards.
FY27 city budget adoption
The Council adopted the FY27 budget as an emergency ordinance, effective October 1, 2026, funding all city operations for the coming year. Councilwoman Duggan voted no on both budget-related ordinances.
Impending homeless services funding cuts
The county faces a $200 million homelessness budget deficit, the committee's Measure A allocation is dropping from $8.2 million to $3.9 million (about a 25% cut), and state HAP funding was halved. Staff warn of significant reductions two to three years out.
Health Department budget cuts
The city budget passed with a reduction in force hitting the health department — though 99 of 104 at-risk classified staff found placements, unclassified staff lack bumping rights. The community health bureau is being split into two bureaus to cut costs, and Measure ER sales tax funds (collecting from October 1) will keep essential positions.
FY 27 Budget Structural Deficit and Position Eliminations
The city faces a $58.2 million structural deficit with 413 positions slated for elimination — 263 held by actual people. The Ethics Officer confirmed her position remains funded after a coding error briefly suggested otherwise.
FY 27 budget-driven layoffs of classified city employees
The city's FY 27 budget eliminates 14 classifications, potentially affecting about 32 classified workers, though HR hopes to place most in vacant positions. The commission's approval lets HR send layoff notices and run the seniority/bumping process before the October 1 fiscal year start.
FY 2027 Budget Adoption
The council adopted a tight-budget year package that restores about 70 positions and library hours while raising parking fines and cannabis taxes to pay for it. Two councilmembers voted no over process concerns and the fee increases.
Proposed elimination/half-time reduction of Office of Veterans Support
The mayor's proposed FY 2027 budget would cut the Veterans Support coordinator position to half-time, which could effectively sunset the commission's staffed activities. Commissioners and veterans have testified at budget hearings; the council adopts the final budget September 15.
FY 27 Proposed Budget cuts and priorities
Long Beach faces a $58 million budget deficit, and the proposed budget cuts library staffing and hours, parks services, and homelessness programs. Residents overwhelmingly asked the city to protect services and reconsider a proposed $14 million police budget increase.
Community engagement on budget decisions
Councilmember Saro (via statement read by Ricks-Oddie) raised concerns that resident outreach happened before the deficit size was known, and asked for a clear accounting of who was heard from — especially low-income, immigrant, and non-English-speaking residents — and how that input shapes the budget.
Citywide layoffs and reduction in force
Federal funding cuts to the WIC program are forcing the Health Department to lay off two of its five public health nutritionists. Commissioners delayed the layoff order until the union meet-and-confer is finished, and floated creating a grant-funded sub-classification with different job protections going forward.
Federal grant losses to health department
Federal funding cuts to the WIC program forced the Health Department to seek layoffs of two of its five public health nutritionists. The commission delayed the layoff order, wanting the employee meet-and-confer finished and clarity on whether funding might be extended.
Health department financial sustainability
A consultant study found Long Beach's health department is a model but financially volatile, swinging between multi-million-dollar deficits and surpluses as grants expire. Recommendations include multi-year forecasting, more Medi-Cal billing, and a long-term decision on the public health lab. Federal funding is expected to be flat at best.
Proposed federal WIOA funding cuts
A House appropriations subcommittee bill would eliminate the WIOA youth activities program — about $2 million a year for Long Beach — and cut adult program funding by roughly 70%, potentially leaving 75,000 Californians unserved. Staff urged board members to advocate with elected officials.
End of Emergency Housing Voucher assistance for 482 households
Federal emergency housing vouchers that help 482 Long Beach households pay rent are expected to run out around October 2026 — earlier than the original 2030 timeline — because of rising rents and faster spending. Households have been added to other wait lists, and the city is waiting to learn if HUD tenant-protection funds will soften the blow.
FY 2026 HUD CoC funding competition risk
HUD's new funding rules guarantee only 60% of Long Beach's renewal demand, putting roughly $4.9 million of existing homeless services funding at risk in a competitive Tier 2 pool that favors new transitional housing projects. The board approved policies designed to protect permanent supportive housing and position the region to win replacement funding.
FY 2026 CoC NOFO funding risks
HUD's new rules put about $4.86 million of Long Beach's renewal funding in the competitive Tier 2, with a national shift toward transitional housing and away from permanent supportive housing. Local providers worry the changes could leave out people with severe mental illness and chronically homeless individuals.