Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán, who represents part of Long Beach, announced this week that she and three other Democrats have established a Congressional Caucus on Homelessness, which will advocate for funding, policy and seek to educate other lawmakers about the issue.

“Addressing this serious issue requires collaboration, education, and advocacy to improve the lives of our unhoused community members,” Barragán said in a statement. “The Caucus will help to open dialogue and facilitate important conversations about the best ways to solve this crisis.”

Long Beach saw its homeless population rise 62% from 2020 to 2022, with more than 3,200 individuals who don’t have permanent shelter. The city declared a state of emergency on homelessness in January, seeking to loosen some laws that can slow construction and permitting for temporary shelters and other projects.

Earlier this week, officials said a homeless person died of exposure due to the cold temperatures and rain.

The new caucus will seek to analyze the factors that lead to homelessness and educate members on the various federal programs that serve unhoused individuals. It will also advocate for funding existing programs and explore new policies to stem the problem.

The three others who formed the caucus are Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, Cori Bush, D-Missouri, and Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas. The announcement also listed Rep. Ted Lieu, a Democrat who represents portions of the South Bay, as a member.

A spokesperson for Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents much of Long Beach, said he also has joined the caucus.