Long Beach’s latest Point-in-Time Count found homelessness continued to increase in 2026, even as city officials pointed to gains in shelter capacity and permanent housing placements as evidence that their strategy is working.
The annual count identified 3,729 people experiencing homelessness, up from 3,595 in 2025 — a 3.7% increase. It marks the highest total recorded in at least six years.
While the overall number increased, the report also showed some encouraging trends. The number of people staying in shelters or interim housing rose from 989 to 1,141, while the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness declined slightly from 2,606 to 2,588.
In a written statement provided to NBC4, the City said the latest numbers show its homelessness response “is making progress in important areas,” pointing to expanded shelter capacity, a slight decline in unsheltered homelessness and 1,702 people who moved into permanent housing last year.
The city also acknowledged that chronic homelessness continues to rise, calling it a reflection of the growing complexity of the crisis. Officials warned that expected reductions in federal and local funding will make future progress more difficult but said they will continue investing in outreach, supportive housing and homelessness prevention.
City continues to defend strategy
The Mayor’s Office and City Manager Tom Modica did not provide a new interview following the release of the report; instead, referring NBC4 to the city’s written statement.
In a May interview with NBC4, Modica expressed confidence in the city’s homelessness leadership, even after questions surrounding oversight of a former homeless services provider.
“I do absolutely,” Modica said when asked whether he had confidence in the Homeless Services Bureau’s leadership.
Modica said the city had expanded oversight as homelessness funding increased and defended the department’s response after problems with a shelter contractor surfaced.
“When things happen, things are going to happen. What I look for is how do you respond to those. This team has responded. They’ve taken action, put in additional controls and switched providers where we needed to.”
When NBC4 asked whether the city’s homelessness leadership could have done more before those issues surfaced, Modica stood by his staff.
“They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do.”
He added that the department was producing results by housing people while responding to the growing number of residents falling into homelessness.
“They do it with compassion. They’ve got results.”
Some of the Long Beach City Councilmembers refused to comment on the city’s homeless oversight failures. Mekahlo Medina reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Council members offer differing views
NBC4 also asked Long Beach City Council members whether they remain confident in the city’s homelessness strategy following the release of the new Point-in-Time Count.
Housing and Public Health Committee Chair Tunua Thrash-Ntuk said she maintains “full confidence” in the City’s leadership and homelessness response system.
She argued Long Beach has expanded shelter capacity, increased permanent housing placements and reduced the percentage of people living unsheltered, while facing a regional housing affordability crisis.
“Long Beach is proving that its coordinated system works, but we are absorbing a regional housing affordability crisis that demands broader cross-jurisdictional accountability.”
Thrash-Ntuk said the city’s next priorities should include preventing people from becoming homeless, preserving tenant stability and accelerating affordable housing production.
Councilmember Dr. Suely Saro also defended the city’s approach.
“The 2026 Point-in-Time Count shows both progress and continued challenges.”
Saro said the City should continue investing in homelessness prevention, expanding housing opportunities and working with partners to ensure residents achieve permanent housing and long-term stability.
Councilmember Kristina Duggan, however, said the city needs to strengthen its approach by placing greater emphasis on accountability.
“The City is making progress in preventing homelessness and expanding housing options, but we need a better approach for people who repeatedly refuse help or pose a risk to community safety.”
She added:
“Our response must balance compassion with accountability, and accountability needs to play a greater role in our approach.”
A proposal to turn a Long Beach motel into a shelter for unhoused residents is getting pushback from the community. Mekahlo Medina reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
Councilmember Daryl Supernaw said he is pursuing new initiatives to improve communication and accountability within the Homeless Services Bureau while working with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn on issues affecting the San Gabriel River, Coyote Creek and Los Cerritos Channel.
Councilwoman Mary Zendejas did not provide a separate statement and instead referred NBC4 to the city’s Public Information Office.
Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga and Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie did not respond to NBC4’s requests for comment.
Councilmember Megan Kerr’s office declined to comment. NBC4 also sought comment from Kerr in May during its reporting on oversight of the City’s homelessness response, but she also declined at that time.
Councilmember Cindy Allen’s office said she is “grateful for our enhanced shelter capacity and housing services, but expects the city to have the ability to adapt and address ongoing challenges, and respond in a timely, effective manner.”
Mayor Richardson’s office said they were working on a response but had not provided one by the time this story was published.
Chronic homelessness continues to grow
While fewer people were counted living unsheltered, the report found the share of people experiencing chronic homelessness increased significantly, rising from 46.7% in 2025 to 58% in 2026.
The report also found 12.4% of people counted were newly homeless, up from 10.9% the previous year.
The Health Department told NBC4 it is still compiling a geographic breakdown of the 2025 and 2026 Point-in-Time Counts and plans to release that information once it is finalized.