The Long Beach City Council has unanimously approved a significant initiative aimed at addressing health disparities and economic challenges faced by Black residents. This week, council members voted to instruct the Health and Human Services Department to implement recommendations from the newly released Black Community Health Strengths and Needs Assessment. The council has allotted 120 days for city staff to present specific policy proposals designed to tackle issues in areas identified as “employment deserts.”
Introduced by Councilmembers Tunua Thrash‐Ntuk, Suely Saro, and Dr. Joni Ricks‐Oddie, the measure directs the City Manager to engage with partner agencies and translate the assessment’s findings into actionable strategies. A primary focus will be on identifying neighborhoods with limited job opportunities and suggesting methods to enhance local hiring and recruitment efforts.
The assessment revealed pressing concerns from community members regarding economic stability, housing security, and mental health. Preliminary data indicated that approximately 25% of respondents reported being unable to afford their rent for the month. Additionally, around one-third had faced challenges in securing housing, and over half expressed experiencing emotional distress. Advocates highlight that the interplay between job scarcity, housing instability, and mental health issues exacerbates the challenges faced by these communities.
Disparities in health outcomes were also stark. The assessment found that Black men in Long Beach have a life expectancy that is about 10 years shorter than their white counterparts, a gap that has been described by community members as “sobering.” In response to these issues, the workgroup developed a resource map featuring over 60 culturally specific providers across the city, with 31 meeting established standards for quality and cultural relevance.
The context of homelessness adds further complexity to the situation. According to the city’s 2025 point-in-time count, there were 3,595 individuals experiencing homelessness, with approximately 1,224 identifying as Black—representing about one-third of the total homeless population. This overrepresentation correlates closely with the housing insecurity identified in the assessment.
Councilmembers linked the report’s findings to ongoing discussions regarding local hiring initiatives and policies related to Measure JB. They emphasized that existing city hiring practices could serve as important tools to create job opportunities in the neighborhoods facing the greatest challenges.
Under the council’s directive, the Health Department must present the assessment to governing boards, including the Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College, and others by December 31, 2026. Following each presentation, a summary of the discussions will be required. The Health Department is also tasked with submitting detailed policy proposals to the council within the specified 120 days.
While community organizations have welcomed the council’s actions, there remains cautious optimism about the implementation process. Local advocates, including the Black Health Equity Collaborative, plan to monitor how resources, timelines, and accountability measures develop. They are advocating for workforce programs that incorporate comprehensive support systems, such as training, childcare, and housing assistance, to ensure lasting impact.
As Long Beach takes these crucial steps, the focus will be on translating assessments into tangible improvements for Black residents, aiming to close the gaps in health and economic opportunities that have persisted for far too long.
