LONG BEACH, Calif. — A statewide task force aimed at dismantling homeless encampments has begun work in Long Beach, but the effort is raising questions about why action took so long and whether the city has enough shelter space to support the roughly 3,500 people currently living unhoused.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California’s SAFE Task Force, a coordinated team involving Caltrans, CHP and state housing and health agencies is now operating in Long Beach as part of a broader effort to clear unsafe encampments on state-owned property across the state’s 10 largest cities. “California’s SAFE Task Force is currently underway in Long Beach, addressing the national homelessness crisis by connecting people with support and care,” Newsom said. “This is proof that with urgency, compassion, and accountability, we can improve the safety and quality of life for everyone.”
The cleanup has renewed debate over whether Long Beach has sufficient shelter beds to accommodate the individuals displaced by these removals. With an estimated 3,500+ homeless citywide, advocates are questioning if existing shelters, motel programs, and temporary housing options can meet the demand. Officials have yet to clarify how many beds are available or how they plan to prevent people from simply being pushed to new locations.
Residents are also asking why the city wasn’t leading this effort sooner. While Long Beach conducts encampment cleanups on city-owned land, many of the largest encampments sit along freeways and rail corridors under Caltrans jurisdiction areas the city cannot clear without state involvement. Even so, some community members say they’ve been reporting hazardous conditions for years and want to know why stronger coordination between the city and state didn’t happen earlier.
As the state task force continues its work in Long Beach, questions remain about long-term outcomes, shelter capacity, and whether this intervention will lead to lasting solutions or temporary displacement.
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