HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - Formation of an Ad Hoc Residential Care Facilities Committee - CorrespondenceReceived After Agenda Printed
October 26, 2021
Item No. 6
From: Laura Curran
To: Schneider. Matthew
Cc: Finnigan, Tara; Dent - City Council; Brown, Leilani; Judis, Seimone
Subject: Question re Ad Hoc Committee Report for Group Homes ?
Date: Monday, October 25, 20213:58:30 PM
Attachments: Staff Report-47.odf
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Mr. Schneider, for the Ad Hoc Committee Report for Group Homes can you please clarify and
include in the Staff Report
the status of the Licensed Facilities referenced in the Staff Report for the City Council
meeting.
Per the report, there are '32 Residential Care Facilities are licensed and or certified by
the State of California (State) to operate in Newport Beach.'
Can you please show by License Type:
How many Six -under licensed?
How many Integral Facilities Licensed.
How many `Certified', and what is the definition ?
The report shared with the public on 10-11-2021 listed INTEGRAL FACILITIES as `Not
Licensed', in error. So it will save time to have this information clarified in advance.
Thank you very much
Laura Curran
KATRINA FOLEY
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUPERVISOR, SECOND DISTRICT
ORANGE COUNTY HALL OF ADMINISTRATION
333 W. SANTA ANA BLVD.
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92701
PHONE (714) 834-3220 FAX (714) 834-6190
Katrina.Foley@ocgov.com
bos2.ocgov.com
October 26, 2021
Mayor Brad Avery
Newport Beach City Council
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Costa Mesa
Buena Park
Stanton
Seal Beach
Rossmoor
Newport Beach
Los Alamitos
La Palma
Huntington Beach
Fountain Valley
Cypress
RE: Agenda Item No. 6: Formation of an Ad Hoc Residential Care Facilities Committee
Dear Mayor Avery and City Council Members:
I'm writing to support Agenda Item No. 6: Formation of an Ad Hoc Residential Care
Facilities Committee. I appreciate the diligent work done by city staff. My county team and I
look forward to future collaboration on this critical issue.
On August 25-,2021, a young man lost his life. Around 4:00 a.m., Henry Richard Lehr,
23, left his state licensed alcohol and drug treatment facility, Gratitude Lodge, and forced his
way into a neighborhood home. He was shot and killed by the homeowner who was found to be
acting in self-defense by the District Attorney. According to reporting from the Orange County
Register, Henry Lehr's father believes his son was experiencing a "symptom of withdrawal, a
psychotic episode." Two families and the surrounding community were devastated.
At a minimum, the community deserves accountability, transparency, and enforcement of
existing state laws and regulations. I am working with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie -Norris to
formally request that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) investigate Gratitude
Lodge and provide written assurances to my office and the community that this facility is in strict
compliance with all regulations concerning state licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities. If
not, the facility should be closed.
Even before this tragic incident, the Santa Ana Heights neighborhood has been
significantly impacted by two state licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities (including
Gratitude Lodge) and two unlicensed sober living homes. The negative social impacts resulting
from the location of these licensed and unlicensed facilities have been evident for years. In fact,
the close proximity of the facilities and their patients undermines the recovery from alcohol and
drug addiction that residential settings are intended to promote.
As you know, I've worked diligently on regulatory reform for many years. The legal
precedent set in Yellowstone Women's First Step House, Inc., et al v. City of Costa Mesa, SA CV
14-01852-JVS (JDEx) (C.D. Cal. Oct. 7, 2021) creates new opportunities to address real local
Newport Beach City Council
October 26, 2021
control rules and enforcements. I encourage you to consider possible local reforms like
permitting, distancing, and quality of life measures at this time.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. Please do not
hesitate to reach out to my office to discuss these issues further. I am committed to finding
solutions that address the proliferation and over -concentration of unscrupulous sober living home
operators throughout the Second District. I look forward to working together on this important
issue.
KF: AR
econd District