Kristina Duggan

What should the city do when confronted with homeless individuals who refuse to go into a shelter or temporary housing?   

The city has an anti-camping ordinance that needs to be enforced. With many of the homeless population in Long Beach refusing to go to a shelter, temporary or permanent housing, the REACH team [Restorative Engagement to Achieve Collective Health] is one of the resources that could be successful in this situation especially when working in partnership with quality-of-life officers.

How would you address crime in the city?

I believe public safety and combating criminal activity needs to be our highest priority. With potential budget deficits over the next few years, it is essential that all departments are managing their funds wisely so the city can consistently fund public safety and ensure there is a short-term goal to increase our budgeted personnel as well as a long-term plan in place for police to hire and retain personnel as needed. My office would develop opportunities to strengthen the relationship between police and residents and support programs that encourage block captains and community watch.

The state is requiring Long Beach to make room for 26,502 new housing units by 2029. How should the 3rd District be a part of that plan?

The character of neighborhoods, available space for development and integration into communities should be studied keeping in mind traffic impacts, parking impacts, availability of local public-school resources and adding additional population to our aging infrastructure.  Strong city planning will be essential, and committees involved should include local residents and business owners, local developers and urban planning experts.  

What would you do about the high cost of housing in Long Beach? 

The cost of housing, both for-sale and rental, has increased significantly in California over the past decade. From a purchase perspective, supply and demand tells us we need more housing stock. However, as a region, most of the new housing needs to occur outside of already built cities such as Long Beach. 

In regard to rental housing, increased rules and regulations both city and statewide have resulted in increased costs for property owners, which has then been passed on to those who rent apartments and single-family residences. We need to look for ways to decrease the cost of housing at all levels in order to reduce the cost of housing for both home buyers and renters.

Do you believe the city is doing enough to alleviate climate change and the effect it’s having on the city? If not, what additional actions should be taken? 

The city’s CAAP [Climate Action and Adaptation Plan] has outlined specific goals to help adapt Long Beach to climate change and reduce the city’s contribution to its causes. Policymakers need to review recommendations and make decisions on the fiscal impact of the changes as well as assess the changes to policy for both long-term and short-term goals. I believe that Long Beach needs to consider reasonable mitigation of environmental issues that can be implemented but not at the expense of residents and business owners.

Parking is a huge quality of life issue in the 3rd District. What, if anything, would you do about parking?

I would consult with urban planners to analyze if there is additional parking that can be identified and review if parking lots that are under-utilized during the day can be used as additional parking. My office would review all options that have already been considered—something that may not have been appealing 10 years ago may be an option that 3rd District residents and business owners want to reconsider.