Megan Kerr

Housing Building more shelters and transitional housing is an important first step but we also need more long-term solutions. Creating more diversion programs connecting our homeless population with supportive services like job training, mental health services and addiction treatment will provide our homeless population with resources to help get their lives back on track and stay in housing. Environment / Energy Megan also continues to advocate for the care and investment in all our parks in the 5th District, particularly Heartwell Park, one of the city’s most active city parks. From youth sports to daily recreation for families and neighbors, Heartwell Park serves as a central gathering space for both the city and 5th District. Megan is committed to maintaining and improving this vital park so it remains a welcoming place for everyone and community life for generations to come. Environment / Energy While we await federal regulation and national infrastructure to support the ban of leaded fuel, Megan will continue to relay our local concerns to state and federal partners, urge the city’s support of related policies at the state and federal levels, and seek what meaningful local avenues we can to mitigate concerns in the meantime. Infrastructure / Transportation As Councilwoman and as Chair of the Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure Committee, Megan has supported and highlighted infrastructure projects and initiatives that aim to improve safety, mobility, and quality of life in our 5th District neighborhoods and across Long Beach. Economy Locally-owned small businesses are what make our neighborhood business corridors so special and unique. As a City, we must continue to support them where they are and meet their needs as they arise. Megan has successfully advocated for the continuation of such programs as the Visual Improvement Program (VIP) grants to support businesses who have been targets of vandalism and/or theft, and continues to push for the onset of the Safe & Secure Program designed to help businesses acquire safety and visual improvements to deter bad actors and prevent future incidents. Criminal Justice / Public Safety She supports strong, community-based policing and is committed to promoting efficient police and fire services through investments in personnel and equipment. We can provide officers with the tools they need to protect our community, while also increasing transparency, accountability, and training. Let’s continue to work with public safety to make sure they are funded and trained to work with and care for our communities in their response to the needs that arise. Housing We must address the serious issue around lack of housing and homelessness by tackling the issue through different approaches. One avenue is to provide a full spectrum of housing options throughout the city, with a focus on affordable, but quality housing. Incentives and inclusionary housing for new development and collaboration with community-based organizations to build sustainable and affordable housing are critical.