Welcome to the Neighborhood*

Group homes too close to one another contribute to the problems associated with overconcentration. Response: The City of Mission Viejo agrees with this 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 of Mission Viejo agrees with this finding.

Some cities have successfully addressed and informed community members about the challenges faced in regulating group homes. Response: The City of Mission Viejo partially agrees with this finding. While some cities have addressed and informed community members about the challenges faced in regulating group homes, including through the recently launched California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force, increased public awareness and collaboration amongst cities is needed.

Community satisfaction was minimal when cities took the traditional public comment approach towards addressing community complaints. Response: The City of Mission Viejo agrees with this finding, which is why it spearheaded the creation of the California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force in January 2023.

Cities are not utilizing police, fire, and code enforcement complaints as a means of locating and tracking Group Homes. Response: The City of Mission Viejo partially agrees with this finding. While complaints can be used to locate and track group homes, more comprehensive local and regional databases are needed. Moreover, relying solely upon complaints would create an incomplete record.

Cities are inhibited from enacting and enforcing ordinances due to fears over the potential cost of litigation. Response: The City of Mission Viejo agrees with this finding.

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. Civic Center • Mission Viejo, California 92691 949/470-3050 http://www.cityofmissionviejo.org FAX 949/859-1386 The Honorable Maria Hernandez "Welcome to the Neighborhood" Are cities responsibly managing the integration of group homes? Response: The City of Mission Viejo partially agrees with this finding, as cities have limited legal authority to enforce such requirements under state and federal law.

City and County officials are deterred from regulating group homes by California Housing and Community Development's housing element approval process. Response: The City of Mission Viejo partially agrees with this finding, as it is only one of many factors.

Cities have historically strategized and acted independently in addressing group home challenges and solutions. Response: The City of Mission Viejo agrees with this finding, which is why it spearheaded the creation of the California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force in January 2023.

Well-operated group homes can integrate smoothly into neighborhoods. Response: The City of Mission Viejo partially agrees with this finding, as this assertion is overly broad and dependent on numerous case specific factors.

There is a lack of regulatory oversight for the health and safety of residents of unlicensed group homes. Response: The City of Mission Viejo agrees with this finding.