Long Beach doubles down on prevention with 'Upstream LB' and new youth shelter

Mayor Rex Richardson used the 2026 State of the City address to present 'Upstream LB,' a prevention-centered plan intended to stop homelessness before it starts and to expand supports for people at highest risk.

Richardson said the city will expand rental assistance for seniors for up to two years and described a package of investments that includes a $2,000,000 commitment for right-to-counsel and settlement assistance to help families fight eviction. He framed the measures as part of a broader push that has also expanded shelter capacity: "By this spring, Long Beach will have increased city provided shelter beds by 84% spread across every council district over the last 3 years," Richardson said.

The mayor highlighted the Long Beach Public Service Corps Fellowship as part of the workforce and stability strategy, telling the audience the city invested "$1,100,000 in paid fellowships, placing young people across 23 city departments." He also cited an individual case: a resident who purchased a condo with support from the city's first-time homebuyer program and a $25,000 grant, saying such grants produce life-changing stability for residents.

Richardson announced the city's first permanent youth shelter and navigation center, scheduled to welcome students this spring. He described services that will be available there — temporary shelter, mental health support and workforce programs for people aged 18 to 24 — and argued these interventions prevent longer-term homelessness.

The mayor said the city is combining outreach, shelter and prevention in a shift "upstream," while warning that reduced state and federal funding has increased the urgency of local action. Richardson said Long Beach is also leveraging county partnerships, noting that "more than $16,000,000 annually for Long Beach dedicated to prevention, housing, and stability" was brought home through his work with the LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency.

The speech did not include new ordinance text or a vote; Richardson said the council would consider project plans and council items (for example, the Belmont Pool plan was set for council consideration on Jan. 20). Next steps for Upstream LB include rolling out the rental assistance and tenant legal supports and continuing partnerships with nonprofit providers and county agencies.

Ending: The mayor closed the housing section by restating a goal to end homelessness by 2030 and urging continued investment and partnerships to make prevention permanent.