Community Shelters

The program provides shelter for families, older adults and people who have a physical disability who are in the Long Beach area. Services include community shelters targeted to couples, individuals with physical disabilities, pregnant women, single parent families headed by mothers. Services are restricted to residents of Long Beach.

The shelter cannot accommodate people who have severe chronic emotional or mental problems or people who have chronic alcohol/drug abuse problems.

Pregnant women are eligible up to delivery if arrangements can be made for care of any other children during the woman's hospital stay. SSI recipients are also eligible.

The shelter accepts people who have disabilities of any degree including people who use wheelchairs, if they are able to care for themselves. People who take medication for seizures, must have been seizure-free for a period of six months in order to be eligible.

The shelter provides bedding, linen, three meals a day, laundry and shower facilities, used clothing, and personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, etc. Residents are required to secure employment or housing during their stay and are requested to leave the shelter Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm to pursue job or housing opportunities.

The length of stay is 30 days and may be extended depending on future plans, and eligibility to remain in the shelter is reviewed weekly. Residents must agree to abide by house rules which include a curfew of 11:00pm. All children must be in bed by 9:00pm.

Residents are required to assist with chores on a daily basis. Smoking is permitted only in the patio area. Visiting with other residents is not permitted in the rooms, but is permitted in the lounge or on the patio only. No pets or outside visitors are allowed in the shelter. Residents who do not abide by rules are given written warnings; after three warnings, they are asked to leave the shelter.

Residents are assigned a case management social worker by the screening agency before they enter the shelter who assist the resident in developing plans for the future, and provide referrals to other social service agencies as needed.

Support services include classes on money management, housing search and job hunting, and child care on weekdays for children of residents who are seeking permanent housing or employment.