On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, the Long Beach City Council approved, with a 9 to 0 vote, the awarding of a contract to Los Angeles-based firm, Connect Homes, for the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of 30 to 35 modular non-congregate shelter units (Tiny Homes) to safely house people experiencing homelessness.
“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.”
In late October 2022, the City advertised a Request for Proposal (RFP) soliciting prospective manufactured home building firms to submit their proposed bids for the design and manufacturing of the Tiny Homes. The selection committee determined Connect Homes to be the most qualified firm to provide the services as they best met the issued criteria, which included reasonableness of costs, experience in performance of comparable engagements, and expertise and availability of key personnel.
These Tiny Homes will be installed in a lot at the City’s Multi Service Center (MSC) located at 1301 W. 12th Street to provide interim or temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. Following installation, the City will be responsible for annual operating and programming costs, which are estimated at $930,818 per year. Ongoing costs will include utilities, maintenance, food and staffing.
Each single occupancy modular unit will be approximately 100 square feet, with its own bed, restroom and shower, lighting, HVAC and storage. They will also include a fire suppression system. Three meals will also be provided daily on site. The program will serve people who are experiencing chronic homelessness and will focus on connecting participants to permanent housing opportunities as quickly as possible. Program participants will be referred through the MSC.
“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 Council Member 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 will be for $2,318,419 with a 10% contingency in the amount of $231,842, for a total amount not to exceed $2,550,261 for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods.
The funds used for this effort stem from the Project Homekey Grant, which was awarded to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) by The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in August 2022.
For more information on the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness in Long Beach, people may visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media and follow the hashtag #EveryoneHomeLB.