Mayor Rex Richardson Requests to Declare State of Emergency on Homelessness

In his first act as Mayor of Long Beach, Rex Richardson requested City Manager Tom Modica to bring a declaration of a Citywide State of Emergency on homelessness before the Long Beach City Council at their next meeting on January 10th, 2023. 

In a letter addressed to the City Manager (attached), Mayor Richardson and Downtown Councilwoman Mary Zendejas called for the City to be “all in” on addressing homelessness collaboratively and asked all nine City Councilmembers to commit to welcoming services that bring relief to those living on the streets in their districts. 

In partnership with Mayor Richardson and Councilwoman Zendejas, the City of Long Beach will also unveil a new homelessness website, which will serve as a comprehensive resource for the community on homelessness. The site will combine resources into one dashboard and include links to available services, data, community engagement opportunities, and other resources intended for both persons experiencing homelessness and housed residents. 

About Mayor Richardson: Rex Richardson is a husband, father, and the 29th Mayor of Long Beach. 

Mayor Richardson’s history in Long Beach is grounded in empowering communities to have a seat at the table. He believes that everyone, no matter their circumstance, deserves the opportunity to thrive. He works to change the culture of city hall to be smarter, more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of our neighborhoods, businesses, and families while ensuring an equitable future for all.