Focus Shifts To Homeless Students For Long Beach Tiny Home Project

LONG BEACH, CA — the city of Long Beach is shifting the focus of its Tiny Homes project to provide more housing for students experiencing homelessness.

The potential initiative would assist Long Beach City College in providing housing stability for students and make a positive impact on the lives of homeless students.

“It’s absolutely critical that we continue to support young people in our city, as they will be the ones that shape the future of Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We are having meaningful conversations with our partners at LBCC, to see how collectively we can provide some housing security for students experiencing homelessness, so that they can better focus on their education and career paths. In the long run, this helps support our entire community.”

City officials and LBCC have begun early discussions for the project and are working to determine a location for the Tiny Homes. Previously the city was eyeing a property at the corner of California Avenue and East Spring Street, but high costs for cleanup and utilities caused the city to look elsewhere.

The tiny homes will be deployed to a new agreed-upon location if the city and LBCC reach an agreement.

Each unit is singular-occupancy and contains a bed, personal bathroom and shower, lighting, electrical outlets, personal HVAC and storage. Both standard and ADA-accessible units will be available.

LBCC and city staff will work together to ensure appropriate amenities, supervision, and supportive services, including transition into permanent housing opportunities, will be available to students.