New Youth Shelter Opens In Long Beach: 'A Testament To What We Can Achieve'

LONG BEACH, CA — A new youth shelter has opened in Long Beach, a "crucial" step, according to city officials, to combat homelessness among a heavily impacted age group.

The Youth Shelter and Navigation Center, located at 1718 Hayes Ave, will provide year-round support to people aged 18 to 24 who are homeless.

That support includes helping them find housing, mental health care, and culturally responsive practices in hopes of establishing lasting stability and sufficiency in their lives. The facilities will also include restrooms, showers, a laundry room, a lounge area and a healing-centered space, according to Long Beach city officials.

“Long Beach’s new Youth Shelter and Navigation Center represents the latest step forward in our city’s investments toward our goal of ending youth homelessness,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement Wednesday. “This center will provide youth in need with a safe place to sleep and a safe place to get the support they need to get back on their feet.”

Director of Health and Human Services Alison King said that addressing homelessness, especially among young age groups, is critical because they are at higher risk of suffering from mental health issues, substance abuse, trafficking and long-term chronic homelessness.

Early intervention, King said, significantly reduces that exposure and improves their future stability and well-being.

SEE ALSO: Children, Families Among Most Impacted By Homelessness Despite Overall Decrease: Report

Homeless people ages 18-24 are one of the most vulnerable groups, according to city officials, because they face unique challenges such as aging out of the foster care system, having family conflict and lacking a stable income.

In Long Beach, that age group saw a 17% increase (73 to 90) between 2024 and 2025, according to this year's annual homeless count. Many of them are people who have aged out of the foster care system or survivors of some sort of childhood trauma or abuse. More than half are already dealing with mental health issues, according to data from the city's annual homeless count.

This new facility is one of multiple projects Long Beach city officials are working on to mitigate issues surrounding growing homeless populations across the city.

The Youth Shelter and Navigation Center is a testament to what we can achieve when we lead with compassion,” Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga said in a statement. “We are proud to welcome this vital space to West Long Beach and in turn offer our youth the support and services they need to move forward. We are committed to investing in compassionate solutions that break the cycle of homelessness.”

Residents of Long Beach can also contribute to helping break that cycle by donating essential items such as hygiene or house-warming kits, pet care items, gift cards, clothing, canned goods and bottled drinks.

These items can be dropped off at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach (3635 Long Beach Blvd.) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or the Scherer Park Community Center (4654 Pasadena Ave.) Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.

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