City To Build Up To 35 Tiny Homes For Unhoused People In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — This month the Long Beach City Council unanimously approved a contract with a firm for the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of up to 35 tiny homes to house people experiencing homelessness.

Connect Homes, the Los Angeles-based firm, was determined to be the most qualified for the job because they met specific criteria including the reasonableness of costs, experience in the performance of comparable engagement and expertise and availability of key personnel.

“These Tiny Homes are integral to the City’s commitment to shelter our residents who are experiencing homelessness,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “These homes will provide comfort, services and hope to people who can use the assistance during their pathway to permanent housing.”

The homes will be installed in a lot at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center at 1301 W. 12th St. and will serve as interim or temporary housing for unhoused people in the city. City officials will be responsible for annual operating and programming costs estimated to cost $930,818 per year.

These costs include utilities, maintenance, food and staffing. Occupants will be provided three meals a day, according to city officials.

Each unit will be 100 square feet and include a bed, restroom and shower, lighting, HVAC and storage, the city said. Fire suppression systems will also be included in each unit.

According to the city, the purpose of the program is to connect people experiencing chronic homelessness with permanent housing opportunities as quickly as possible.

“I am pleased that the seventh Council District has stepped up time and again to support the City’s efforts to end homelessness,” said Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “These homes will take members of our community off the streets and into housing, providing them with much needed respite and critical services.”

The contract with Connect Homes cost a total of $2,550,261 for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three more one-year periods. The funds for the program came from the city health department's Project Homekey Grant awarded in August 2022, city officials said.