Home » Homelessness » Volunteer, Donate And Get Involved

How to volunteer, donate or get involved with us.

There are several ways to help. Donate dollars or goods, volunteer your time and participate in meetings. Here's how you can get involved.

 

  • Volunteer

    VOLUNTEER OR PROVIDE PRO BONO SERVICES

    If you are interested in providing ongoing pro bono services to support people currently experiencing homelessness, contact the Homeless Services Bureau at HomelessServices@longbeach.gov. Staff will discuss how you may be able to contribute. Here are a few examples of pro bono services that can be offered:

    • Legal Aid: ID replacement, citations, record expungement
    • Healthcare: Medical, dental, mental health or substance use treatment
    • Career Support: Resume help, job coaching, financial literacy
    • Personal Services: Haircuts, grooming, pet care, transportation

  • Donate

     

    PHYSICAL DONATIONS

    The City of Long Beach is collecting essential items to support people experiencing homelessness—and community members are invited to help.

    How to Give:

    • Shop the Amazon Wish List for hygiene or house-warming kits.
    • Build a backpack kit with hand warmers, flashlights, batteries (esp. D), battery packs, charging cables, and emergency blankets.
    • Donate pet care items: leashes, toys, treats, or collapsible bowls.
    • Drop off gift cards (Target, Walmart, McDonald's, etc.) at the Multi-Service Center.
    • Provide clothing: new or gently used sweatpants, shirts, socks, underwear, hoodies, beanies, towels, and blankets.
    • Make welcome kits (great youth activity!) with essentials and a handwritten encouraging note.
    • Donate food: canned goods, bottled drinks, granola bars, oatmeal, or instant soup.

    Drop-Off Locations:

    • Any Long Beach Public Library during business hours
    • Boys & Girls Club (3635 Long Beach Blvd.), Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
    • Scherer Park Community Center (4654 Pasadena Ave.), Mon–Fri, 3–6 p.m

    Your contributions have a meaningful impact. Thank you for supporting your community.

    DONATION REQUEST FORM FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

    Long Beach-based organizations supporting people experiencing homelessness can request donated items such as clothing, blankets, and toiletries to help further their mission.

    To request items, submit a donation request form.

    Please note: Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the City will do its best to fulfill all requests.

    MAYOR’S FUND FOR HOMELESS ACTION

    The City of Long Beach partners with nonprofits and community organizations to support people experiencing homelessness through its Continuum of Care model, with sites like the Multi-Service Center helping individuals and families work toward self-sufficiency.

    To address unmet needs, the Mayor’s Fund for Homelessness provides small grants to local organizations for programs that fall outside traditional funding—either innovative pilot projects or existing programs needing flexible support.

    Donations to the Mayor’s Fund may support:

    • Relocation or move-in assistance
    • Transportation and shelter services
    • Infrastructure repairs or critical equipment replacement
    • Immediate shelter needs

    Funded by donations from residents, businesses, and community groups—primarily through an annual campaign—all disbursements go directly to benefit people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach.

    Apply Now

    MAKE A DONATION TO THE MAYOR'S FUND FOR HOMELESS ACTION

    Your tax-deductible donation to the Mayor’s Fund will make a real difference, providing individuals and families in our community the support they need to break the cycle of homelessness. Donations can be made by credit card or check, with funds administered by the Long Beach Community Foundation.
    +See the list of past Mayor’s Fund Recipients

    Donate Now

  • Get Involved

    HOMELESS SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
    INFORMATION AND MEETING SCHEDULE

    The City of Long Beach created the Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) in 1988. The committee works under the direction of the City Council and Mayor, offering advice on policies, programs and services that support people experiencing homelessness.

    HSAC follows the rules outlined in Ordinance Resolution C-24600 and can also make recommendations directly to the Long Beach City Council.

    The committee has 11 members, all of whom are Long Beach residents. One member is appointed from each of the City Council district, and two members are selected by the Mayor’s Office.

    HSAC considers recommendations from the Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC) Board and its members on matters related to homeless services policy, programs and funding. It also gathers public feedback and discusses to homelessness issues at its regular monthly meetings.

    Each year, HSAC submits an annual report to the City Council highlighting its work and offers suggestions for the upcoming year.

    Homeless Services Advisory Committee

    HSAC meetings are held on the first Wednesday every other month unless otherwise noted:

    Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
    Time: 3:30 PM-5:30 PM
    Location: Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
    Address: 5870 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90805
    Meeting Packet

    Policy Subcommittee

    The Policy Subcommittee meets every other month, on the second Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted):

    Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
    Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
    Location: Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB)
    Address: 1500 Hughes Way, Ste. C-300, Long Beach, CA 90810
    Meeting Packet

    Mayor’s Fund Subcommittee

    The Mayor’s Fund Subcommittee meets every other month, on the second Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted):

    Date: Monday, March 9, 2026- Cancelled
    Time: 3:00-4:00 PM
    Location: Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB)
    Address: 1500 Hughes Way, Ste. C-300, Long Beach, CA 90810
    Meeting Packet

    For more information, please email HomelessServicesAdmin@longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-4182.

    LONG BEACH CONTINUUM OF CARE (CA-606)
    INFORMATION AND MEETING SCHEDULE

    In line with the federal HEARTH Act (Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act), passed on May 20, 2009, organizations in Long Beach that serve people who are homeless and formerly homeless have come together to forma Continuum of Care (CoC). The CoC is responsible for planning, coordinating and carrying outactivities to prevent homelessness, as outlined in federal regulations (24 CFR 578) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

    The Long Beach (CoC) is comprised of five entities:

    1. The Long Beach CoC General Membership
    2. The Long Beach CoC Board
    3. The Homeless Services Advisory Committee (HSAC)
    4. The Long Beach City Council
    5. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services – Homeless Services Bureau
    To learn more please visit the Long Beach CoC webpage.

    Long Beach CoC Board

    The Long Beach CoC Board is composed of elected and ex officio members responsible for overseeing local planning, coordination and implementation activities related to ending and preventing homelessness in the region. The CoC Board meets twice quarterly on the second Tuesday in January, March, April, June, July, September, October, and December (unless otherwise noted).

    Date: TBD
    Time 3:00-4:30 PM
    Location: Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB)
    Address: 1500 Hughes Way, Ste. C-300, Long Beach, CA 90810
    Meeting Packet

    Long Beach CoC General Membership

    The Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC) General Membership is a broad-based group of local stakeholders with a shared interest in ending and preventing homelessness in the city. The CoC General Membership meets quarterly on the third Tuesday of March, June, September and December (unless otherwise noted).

    Date: TBD
    Time: TBD
    Location: TBD
    Address: TBD
    Meeting Packet

    For more information, please email HomelessServicesAdmin@longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-4555.

    Policies and Standards Subcommittee

    The Policies and Standards Subcommittee meets quarterly, every first Thursday of the month at 12:00 noon via zoom.

    Meetings are cancelled until further notice.

    Coordinated Entry System Subcommittee

    The Coordinated Entry System Subcommittee meets quarterly, every first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. via zoom.

    Meetings are cancelled until further notice.

    Quality, Data, and Performance Subcommittee

    The Quality, Data, and Performance Subcommittee meets quarterly, every second Tuesday of the month at 2 pm via zoom.

    Meetings are cancelled until further notice.

Homelessness Assistance

Experiencing homelessness or at risk and need help now?
Call (562) 570-4500

Looking to get help for someone who is experiencing homelessness or want to discuss an encampment?
Call (562) 570-4MSC (4672)

Donate

Mayor's Fund to Homeless Action, Donate Today!

FAQ

Get Answers to Frequently Asked Questions »

Multi-Service Center

1301 W. 12th Street
Long Beach, CA 90813 (map)
(562) 570-4500

Email:
HomelessServices@longbeach.gov

Hours of Operation:
Monday         8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday         8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday   8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday       8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday             8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
*Closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.

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