Harbor Area
Blood Donations Needed
During the pandemic, less people have been donating blood and that has caused a nationwide shortage of blood of all types. If you are able, consider helping out by donating blood to the Red Cross.
Details: www.redcrossblood.org
Proposed Housing Element Update
Adoption Hearing, Feb. 8
On Feb. 8, the Long Beach City Council will hold an adoption hearing on the Proposed 20212029 Housing Element plan. The proposed project involves an update to the Housing Element (6th Cycle), a required element of the city’s general plan. The document sets goals, objectives and policies for housing citywide. It establishes a roadmap for accommodating projected housing unit demand for existing and future residents over the next eight years. As required by state law, the document shows how the city can accommodate demand for housing at all income levels, including through future rezoning of properties consistent with the adopted Land Use Element (LUE) of the General Plan.
The updated Housing Element plan has been released for public review and will be considered for final adoption by the city council Feb. 8.
The City Council meeting agenda and staff report will be available on legistar.com
Details: longbeach.gov/housingelementupdate.
LB Port Releases Revised Draft Master Plan Update
The Port of Long Beach Jan. 27, released a revised draft update for its Port Master Plan, a document that defines long-range goals and policies for land use and development at the seaport.
A virtual public information meeting will be held Feb. 10, to inform the public on changes made to the draft update. Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog translation will be provided upon request. Requests for translation must be submitted by Feb. 7 to pmp@polb.com. The revised draft update, associated documents and information on attending the virtual public information meeting are available at the link below.
Comments on the Port Master Plan Draft Update will be accepted through March 14. Submit them in writing to Theresa Dau-Ngo, director of transportation planning, Port of Long Beach, 415 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802, or to pmp@polb.com.
Time: 6 p.m. Feb. 10
Details: www.polb.com/masterplan.
Venue: Online
Watch the State of the Port of LB
Join online — 2021 was a year of challenges and a year of collaboration. Executive Director Mario Cordero will share the outlook for 2022.
Time: 9 a.m. Feb. 9
Cost: Free
Details: www.polb.com/port-info/state-of-theport
Venue: Online
Eligible Californians Can Apply for New Mortgage Relief Program in California CALIFORNIA — On Jan. 25 U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) encouraged eligible Californians to apply for the state’s new Mortgage Relief Program during a virtual conversation with the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH).
Following recent approval by the U.S. Treasury, the state launched the California Mortgage Relief Program to provide one-time payments to qualified homeowners who have fallen behind on their housing payments or to reverse missed payments of up to $80,000 as part of the state’s Housing is Key initiative. The $1 billion in federal funding for this program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,
Details: www.CAMortgageRelief.org; 888-840-2594.
Community Services Block Grant
Serving LA County
DPSS Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and CSBG CARES Programs provide
funding to community partners to provide services for families in need. Find a CSBG participating agency at www.dpss.lacounty.gov/en/community/csbg.html
Fraud Alert: COVID-19 Scams
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to the novel coronavirus.
Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-19-related scams.
Details: www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/consumer-alerts
Pick Up Your Free PCR COVID-19 Tests
We Are LA Health has launched a program to increase and facilitate access to COVID-19 tests. The program allows residents to pick up a PCR test at 13 locations across LA County and return it to obtain results within 2448 hours.
Details: www.covid19.lacounty.gov/la-county-pick-uptesting-kit-program
How To Report Price Gouging On At-Home Test Kits
As COVID-19 cases increase, so do opportunities for consumers to be victimized by illegal price gouging. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order establishing consumer protections against price gouging on at-home test kits.
To report price gouging for COVID-19 rapid tests online or in stores, go to Los Angeles County Consumer and Business Affairs at: www.dcba.lacounty.gov/newsroom/ price-gouging-covid-at-home-tests
Celebrate Data Privacy Week
It’s time for a data check up. Take five minutes to check the privacy settings on your social media and other digital accounts. Make sure you are comfortable with the personal info your friends/followers can view and with the data you share with each platform.
Details: www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-week