On March 12, leaders from three local organizations stood outside of Fire Station 7 to announce their new tax proposal: Block the Cuts and Build Long Beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The three groups, The Long Beach Firefighters Association, LiBRE (Long Beach Residents Empowered) and LAANE (Los Angeles for Alliance for a New Economy), are hoping to take a holistic approach in solving some of the city\u2019s most pressing issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The issues: affordable housing, homelessness prevention, fire and emergency services, street repairs and aging water infrastructure. Their proposed solution: a parcel tax targeting industrial land use and high-income property owners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The money, which they estimate will be around $70 million annually if the tax is approved by voters, will go specifically and only towards affordable housing and homelessness prevention; life-saving services like ambulances and updated stations; street improvements and infrastructure needs. The tax revenue is meant to bridge the gap in programs, services and resources that have been most impacted by federal cuts in the last two years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an ask to be courageous and to take ownership over our future,\u201d said LAANE Executive Director V\u00edctor S\u00e1nchez. \u201cI think the power of saving our city and making sure that our services are stabilized is in our hands and we\u2019re just trying to get voters the opportunity to grab hold of that power and to help move us in the right direction. The burden that our communities are facing and our city and our services; we cannot continue to look at it as just housing, just fire, just labor issues. We need everyone at the table, and this is what this measure is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/group-firefighers-attribution-firefighters-local-372.jpg\")
Members of the Long Beach Firefighters Association stand in support of the Block the Cuts and Build Long Beach parcel tax proposal on March 12, 2026. If approved, the tax will provide a minimum of $7 million to fire and emergency services annually. (Courtesy of LiBRE)<\/p>\n
The parcel tax proposes taxing 15 cents per square foot of residential properties and 45 cents per square foot of industrial properties. Households with a combined income lower than $250,000 will be exempt from the tax, as well as renters. The coalition estimates that 84% of single-family homes and condos will be exempt, along with the 60% of Long Beach residents who are renters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If approved, the tax will begin on Jan. 1, 2027. The tax may increase by up to 3% each year following.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those who qualify for exemption will have to apply, prove their economic qualifications and be approved by the City in order to avoid the tax. There are also \u201cprotections built into\u201d the measure so property owners would not be able to pass this tax on to their renters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These exemptions would also apply to mobile home parks, cemeteries, agricultural land and recreational spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think when we approached this conversation, it was about making sure that we weren\u2019t burdening those that were already facing some of the biggest financial challenges in this moment,\u201d S\u00e1nchez said. \u201cI think we also just have to be upfront and real around, you know, there are major industries that place a disproportionate strain on city infrastructure. We think they need to contribute more.\u201d<\/p>\n
On average, residents who will be impacted by this tax will have to pay roughly $900 to $1,200 per year, according to LiBRE\u2019s research team. The bulk of the estimated $70 million in annual revenue will come from industrial property owners, who own either office space, factories and the ever-increasing \u201cSpace Beach\u201d facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s less of a \u201ctax the rich\u201d proposal and more of a \u201cfair share,\u201d S\u00e1nchez said, specifically regarding the City\u2019s public services. This past year, Long Beach has announced a number of federal funding cuts, mostly focused on health programs. The City\u2019s federal funding webpage<\/a>, launched last year, lists affordable housing programs and public safety and emergency services as two of the nine services that are in danger of federal cuts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fire and Emergency Services<\/p>\n For Lamont Nguyen, president of the Long Beach Firefighters Association, the venue for their announcement was a fitting example of his team\u2019s needed resources. As he spoke in front of Fire Station 7, a New Deal plaque from the 1940s shone in the light, reflecting the funds that got the station built. Since then, he said the fire station has received no \u201cserious modernization.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n This time last year, Nguyen brought over 100 of the city\u2019s firefighters to a City Hall budget hearing to advocate for funding<\/a> and explain the department\u2019s need for more ambulances and updated facilities. Months later, the Firefighters Association passed a labor contract<\/a> that was the first of its kind in that it guaranteed resources for another ambulance unit alongside wage negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since becoming president of the association, Nguyen has leaned into the progressive power of his team and residents in the city to make changes rather than being reactive to change.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe oftentimes use the tagline, \u2018public safety is the priority.\u2019 We need something that\u2019s gonna provide real solutions, right?\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cFrom the fireside, we just looked at it as an opportunity to put something together that was actually going to be proactive, carry our same messaging forward, aligned with partners who understand, ultimately, these are the same services that we\u2019re all going to be utilizing in the same community that we respond to.\u201d<\/p>\n If the Block the Cuts and Build Long Beach parcel tax passes, a minimum of 10% or $7 million will go to fire and emergency services. The main goals of this section are:\u00a0<\/p>\n Lowering response times for fire suppression and emergency medical services and expanding emergency medical response capacity to meet rising 911 call volume, as well as reducing repeat and preventable emergency calls through mobile integrated health, community paramedicine, and community-based care strategies. (40% of funds)<\/p>\n Modernizing and rebuilding fire stations, EMS facilities, and emergency response infrastructure. (30% of funds)<\/p>\n Supporting workforce safety, training, recruitment, retention and wellness. (20% of funds)<\/p>\n Advancing equitable emergency medical access and outcomes, particularly in communities with historically higher emergency call volumes, health disparities and service gaps. (10% of funds)<\/p>\n For years, the Long Beach Fire Department has been saying they experience daily shortages with their paramedic units. To meet their needs, they often have to rely on neighboring cities\u2019 ambulance units, creating a domino effect of longer response times.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis gave us a different seat at the table to align with the strength in the community that truly does understand what progressive means and what it does for the community,\u201d Nguyen said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Housing and Homelessness<\/p>\n For LiBRE, this measure is just the latest in their creative efforts to produce affordable housing, except with more teeth.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the written measure, Long Beach has only completed 13% of its state-mandated affordable housing production from 2021-29. Furthermore, over 2,000 multi-family units that are now affordable are set to lose their affordability contracts by 2031.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are every day on the ground, in the streets, talking to folks about housing,\u201d said LiBRE Executive Director Andre Donado. \u201cThe displacement that we continue to see in the city, regardless of the passing of other progressive policies around housing, continues to be impactful, continues to separate families, and continues to take people away from our community.\u201d<\/p>\n In order to meet these needs, 30% of the estimated annual revenue, or $20 million, will go towards affordable housing production, preservation and homeownership. The affordable units created with these funds \u2014 unlike the majority of the city\u2019s current affordable units \u2014 will remain at a low-income rate in perpetuity, with no expiration that would knock it up to market value.\u00a0<\/p>\n The main goals of these allocations include:\u00a0<\/p>\n Creating a stable, dedicated revenue source to address housing affordability with significant community oversight and transparent public spending.<\/p>\n Creating permanently affordable homes and renting options and expanding shared-equity homeownership.<\/p>\n Preventing homelessness by connecting Long Beach residents vulnerable to homelessness (such as low-income seniors, at-risk youth, survivors of domestic violence, persons with disabilities, formerly homeless individuals and single-parent households) to resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reducing the flow of residents into homelessness by stabilizing households at risk of eviction; strengthening community-based prevention systems; supporting tenant rights, financial readiness and housing navigation.<\/p>\n Creating shared-equity homeownership, cooperative housing, resident governance, and stewardship of properties created, preserved, or supported by this Fund.<\/p>\n Strengthening Long Beach\u2019s ecosystem of nonprofit developers, community land trusts, resident-led organizations and service providers to ensure long-term stewardship and sustainability of affordable housing assets.<\/p>\n Alternative models of permanently affordable housing will receive 40% of these funds; rehabilitated affordable housing will receive 35%; affordable homeownership will receive 10%; and homelessness prevention will receive 15%.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis policy really emphasizes keeping people housed,\u201d Donado said. \u201cSo, by really having a strong investment on housing preservation, through the community and land trusts, this type of housing will ensure affordability in the perpetuity.\u201d<\/p>\n Streets and Infrastructure<\/p>\n At least 35% of revenue from this tax must go to street improvements and aging public infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the measure, Long Beach has an estimated $3.5 billion backlog of needed infrastructure improvements. These needs include the city\u2019s streets, sidewalks, flood protection, clean water systems and public parks. Current average street conditions in the city remain below the threshold of \u201cgood.\u201d<\/p>\n The main goals of this section are:\u00a0<\/p>\n Increasing the city\u2019s overall Pavement Condition Index (PCI) toward a standard of good repair.<\/p>\n Addressing the City\u2019s infrastructure backlog by accelerating investment in streets and\u00a0 other critical public assets that currently lack sufficient or stable funding sources.<\/p>\n Advancing equity in infrastructure investment, prioritizing neighborhoods with historic underinvestment, older infrastructure, higher safety risks, and greater unmet needs.<\/p>\n Investing in infrastructure that supports mobility, safety, sustainability, public services, cultural assets and long-term economic development, particularly in underserved communities.<\/p>\n Ensuring that voter-approved infrastructure program funds are used transparently, accountably, and exclusively for infrastructure purposes, consistent with voter intent to rebuild, modernize, and sustain the physical foundation of the City for current and future generations.\u00a0<\/p>\n The allocation of these funds will be as follows:<\/p>\n 60% towards street and roadway infrastructure<\/p>\n 15% towards sidewalks, alleys and active transportation infrastructure<\/p>\n 15% towards public facilities, community and cultural infrastructure<\/p>\n 10% towards climate resilience, coastal and stormwater infrastructure<\/p>\n City Services Stabilization<\/p>\n In alignment with the tax measure\u2019s main goal, 25% of the revenue will be used to make up for federal funding cuts to Long Beach\u2019s most essential services, mainly health. This portion of the measure is a bit more vague, but it mainly focuses on preserving quality-of-life services, stabilizing the City\u2019s budget and preserving services in low-income neighborhoods.\u00a0<\/p>\n Want more local news? <\/p>\n Sign up for the Signal Tribune\u2019s daily newsletter<\/p>\n Protections<\/p>\n Along with the exemptions laid out in the item\u2019s language, measures have also been taken to guarantee how the funding is used.\u00a0<\/p>\n All revenue created through the tax can only be used for the services mentioned: fire and emergency services, affordable housing and homelessness prevention, street and infrastructure repairs. A separate Build LB Fund will be created for these funds, and they cannot enter the City\u2019s general fund at any point. If the fund has reserves at the end of a fiscal year, it will roll over to the following year while still not entering the City\u2019s general fund.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you talk about revenue measures and investments from the community, I think one of the most important things is making sure of transparency and accountability and how the resources are being spent,\u201d S\u00e1nchez said. \u201cAnd bar none, I think you look back at past campaigns, that\u2019s a common thread. People want to know where the money is going, how the money is being spent.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Additionally, the measure includes the requirement to create an oversight committee, with seven members considered experts in fire and emergency services, non-profit affordable housing, community land trust strategies, tenant protection and homelessness prevention, public works financing, a lived experience of housing insecurity or from a historically underinvested neighborhood, and someone between the ages of 16-21.\u00a0<\/p>\n Each year, the City Manager will have to write a report and present it both to the public and the Oversight Committee breaking down the total revenues, expenditures, measurable outcomes and recommendations from the committee. Every three years, the committee can recommend changes to the allocations of funds, though housing and fire cannot fall under their minimum requirements for funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe knew that a citizens oversight commission that was strong, that had teeth, that was very clearly defined and outlined, was going to be a critical part of it, one that had experts and not politicians on there,\u201d Sanchez said. \u201cIt\u2019s a hallmark piece of the measure, and one that we hope Long Beach voters can see is a genuine effort to make sure that we\u2019re speaking to some of those concerns that would come up around accountability and transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n Next Steps<\/p>\n The Block the Cuts and Build Long Beach tax initiative is in its signature gathering phase.\u00a0<\/p>\n Organizers need 28,000 signatures by the end of May in order to get the tax on the ballot in front of voters. The signature can only be provided in-person. <\/p>\n Over the next two months, canvassers and volunteers will go door-to-door across the city and be present at community hubs such as farmers markets and community gatherings to inform people about this effort.<\/p>\n If residents would like to get involved, LiBRE is hosting volunteer days on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with breakfast, lunch and training provided. The sign-up link is\u00a0wearelbre.nationbuilder.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Samantha is an award-winning journalist, sports fanatic and mother. She\u2019s worked for the Signal Tribune for over three years and is passionate about covering environmental news, small businesses, mutual aid efforts and resources. <\/p>\n Related Posts: <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Stop-the-Cuts-Build-LB-Lamont-Nguyen-Attribute-LAANE-Action-Fund.jpg.jpg\")
Long Beach Firefighters Association President Lamont Nguyen announces the Block the Cuts and Build Long Beach land tax on March 12, 2026. He said the tax revenue will fund much-needed resources for the fire department and help them update outdated fire stations. (Courtesy of LiBRE)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pexels-amysue-h-4990743.jpg\")
Image of a firetruck by Amy Sue H. on Pexels.com<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ForRent-1.jpg\")
A \u201cFor Rent\u201d sign sits in a window of a two-bedroom home, where the owners are asking for $5500 a month in rent in the Peninsula neighborhood of Long Beach on July 20, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Copy-of-BLM-NTC-6.jpeg\")
Residents at the Black Neighborhood Tenant Council meetings share important resources and empower one another through information and community. (Courtesy of J. McCall) <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RoadRepair-4.jpg\")
Construction workers with VCI Construction use a Jumping Jack Tamper to flatten the asphalt patch at Pacific Coast Highway and Cherry Boulevard in Long Beach on May 9, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774048574_725_RoadRepair-3.jpg\")
Construction workers with VCI Construction work on the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cherry Boulevard on May 9, 2023. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/collective-block-cuts-build-lb_attribute-laane-action-fund.jpg\")
The Block the Cuts and Build Long Beach coalition presented their parcel tax proposal on March 12, 2026. The tax revenue needs 28,000 signatures by the end of May in order to get on the November Ballot. (Courtesy of LiBRE)<\/p>\n![\"Samantha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774048575_649_StaffPhotos-4-e1762489987828.jpg\")
Samantha DiazManaging Editor<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ForRent-1-scaled.jpg\")
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