Long Beach locals express concerns over proposal to turn motel into homeless shelter

A proposal to turn a Long Beach motel into a homeless shelter is receiving pushback from some neighboring business owners who say there are already too many in their community.

Leaders in the city are considering renting out a Motel 6 off Pacific Coast Highway for more than a year to house up to 70 unsheltered residents a night. Business owners who’ve spoken out against the move say the proposal would add a third motel-turned-homeless shelter within a three-block radius in the area.

“I think it’s awful,” said Steven Acosta, who owns a tattoo shop nearby. “We already have two homeless shelters – the Colonel and the Coronado – a block and a block and a half away.”

City officials said they’re now considering the Motel 6 to house individuals living on the streets in the nearby LA River. Although the area was chosen due to the proximity of the river, neighbors said they feel like their community is being used as a dumping ground.

“To try to put multiple places right here by me where we are already struggling to stay in business is wrong,” said Darren Reichert, who owns Advanced Muffler.

In addition to business owners, some residents in the community have also expressed their opposition. Dr. Autrilla Gillis, who lives in the neighborhood, launched a petition to stop the proposal.

“The homeless issue here is crazy,” she said. “We are dealing with theft, we are dealing with vandalism.”

Gillis said she isn’t opposed to homeless shelters being available for those in need; Her concern lies in the area selected for this proposed project.

“It’s just not an ideal placement for that type of facility where we already have scarce resources and now, you are taxing the resources and safety of the neighborhood,” she said.

According to the city, the $4.8 million project would include on-site social services, counseling and a pathway to permanent housing for those being helped.

NBC4 has reached out to the city of Long Beach for comment. It’s unclear when officials will make a decision on the project.

Source: NBC Los Angeles