City of Cypress*

Group homes too close to one another contribute to the problems associated with overconcentration. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

Common nuisances are more likely and disruptive when sober living homes are concentrated in a small geographic area of a neighborhood. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

Some cities have successfully addressed and informed community members about the challenges faced in regulating group homes. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding. Community satisfaction was minimal when cities took the traditional public

comment approach towards addressing community complaints. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

Cities are not utilizing police, fire, and code enforcement complaints as a means of locating and tracking Group Homes. Cypress coordinates this information across its organization, but lacks the Response: information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

Cities are inhibited from enacting and enforcing ordinances due to fears over the potential cost of litigation. The City partially agrees with this finding and believes additional factors Response: may influence this issue.

Several cities have created an ordinance that requires a ministerial permit or registration to operate a group home, however many of these cities do not enforce their ordinances. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding. City and County officials are deterred from regulating group homes by F-8. California Housing and Community Development's housing element approval process. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

California Housing and Community Development's housing element approval process. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding. F9. Cities have historically strategized and acted independently in addressing group home challenges and solutions. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding. F10. Well-operated group homes can integrate smoothly into neighborhoods. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding. F11. There is a lack of regulatory oversight for the health and safety of residents of unlicensed group homes. Response: Agree with the finding. RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESPONSES R1. Orange County cities and the County of Orange should address citizen concerns regarding group homes by providing an opportunity for an open dialog where an interdisciplinary-panel-of subject matter experts can share with attendees the challenges cities are facing in the management of group homes. To be implemented by July 1, 2024. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Cypress does not face issues related to the management of group homes, but would publicize and attend an event organized by the County or impacted cities. R2. By December 31, 2024, Orange County cities and the County of Orange should collaborate in their efforts to create ordinances for the regulation of group homes, including the development of model ordinances. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Cypress does not face issues related to the management of group homes. R3. Orange County cities and the County of Orange should pool resources for defense of lawsuits challenging group home ordinances. The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted Response: or is not reasonable. Cypress does not face issues related to the management of group homes. R4. The County of Orange and Orange County cities should create a Task Force that includes representatives from OC cities, unincorporated areas, and other entities as appropriate and charge it with the responsibility of developing a plan to generate awareness among State legislators and regulators of the need for improved regulations and management standards to ensure health and safety for Group Home residents. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Cypress does not face issues related to the management of group homes. Additionally, most Orange County cities are members of advocacy organizations (Cal Cities and Association of Cities - Orange County) and/or retain professionals to engage with federal and state officials. R5. Orange County cities and the County of Orange should modify code enforcement report data collection forms to include a searchable field that enables the identification of a residence operating as a group home. Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable. Cypress does not face issues related to the management of group homes.

Cities have historically strategized and acted independently in addressing group home challenges and solutions. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

Well-operated group homes can integrate smoothly into neighborhoods. Response: The City lacks the information and/or experience to agree or disagree with the finding.

There is a lack of regulatory oversight for the health and safety of residents of unlicensed group homes. Response: Agree with the finding.