LONG BEACH, Calif. – It might look like there are new parking meters in downtown Long Beach, but it is actually a way for the community to get involved with homeless relief efforts.

Down the street from Pine Avenue and 3rd Street is a man playing his guitar for a crowd of one. According to the man known only as “Matt,” who has nowhere specific to call home, he has been all over the country. Some would call Matt homeless, but if you ask him he’s “home free.”

“People pay thousands of dollars to go see the stuff I do for free every day of my life,” said Matt, “People wait for their vacations, they work years at a time to get their vacation, save up all these thousands of dollars so they can spend a weekend there. I walk in there do it all for free anytime I please.”

With only his dog by his side, this is his second tour in Long Beach. Supplies are scarce, so he make sure he feeds his pup first, after all according to Matt, the dog is the real money maker. So his supplies are prioritized for the pup.

As he begins to pull out at least three bags of dog treats, he gets to the bottom of the bag and finds his bag of tobacco. He licks a hand rolled cigarette closed.

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“I wish it was weed, but as you can see, I don’t have any,” said Matt as he points to one of the many stickers on his guitar that reads out “booze and weed” and “no free show.”

Like many in his situation, he makes his living by hoping to get a hand from those walking.

Earlier in the day, the City of Long Beach unveiled new parking style meters for homeless donations that Mayor Robert Garcia says will do more to help those in need.

“We’re really going to work hard to ensure that we are raising a lot of money. Getting people to donate to these meters, but also just raising money from foundations, from business and most importantly, community members,” said Garcia.

Matt disagrees, “I saw them in Santa Cruz a few years back, those are ridiculous, they don’t go to anything that helps.”

Matt also says he is not worried about the potential of any money being taken out of his pockets by those who may choose to put money in the meter instead of giving it to him.

“No one owes me anything, so if they want to help I appreciate that, it’s a blessing.  No one is obligated to and I don’t expect anything from anyone.  I’m just here to put smiles on people’s faces,” said Matt.

But when you’re home free, any little bit that someone can give, is a huge help.