Welcome to the Neighborhood: Are cities responsibly managing the integration of group homes?*

Group homes too close to one another contribute to the problems associated with overconcentration. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: While the City understands the finding as stated in the Grand Jury report and has heard of this issue occurring in other jurisdictions, Brea historically has not had an issue with the overconcentration of group homes. Per the City's Police Department, Fire Department, and Code Enforcement Division, there have been no formal complaints regarding the overcrowding or presence of group homes.

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 Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: While the City understands the finding and has heard of this issue occurring in other jurisdictions, Brea has not experienced nuisances from sober living homes. City Council Marty Simonoff Christine Marick Cecilia Hupp Blair Stewart Steven Vargas Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Honorable Maria Hernandez September 6, 2023

Some cities have successfully addressed and informed community members about the challenges faced in regulating group homes. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: Because the City has historically not experienced nuisances relating to group homes, the City has not addressed or informed community members regarding regulatory challenges. However, the City uses several outlets to keep residents informed and educated on the City's overall operations, programs, policies, and initiatives.

Community satisfaction was minimal when cities took the traditional public comment approach towards addressing community complaints. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: Historically, the City has not received citizen complaints about group homes. The City has several avenues to address citizen complaints that have proven to be effective in obtaining resident satisfaction. These avenues include City Council meetings, online website postings, town hall meetings, City correspondence and more. Other outlets would be explored if needed.

Cities are not utilizing police, fire, and code enforcement complaints as a means of locating and tracking Group Homes. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: The City's Police Department, Fire Department, and Code Enforcement Division will work hand-in-hand to address complaints received from residents related to group homes. If a complaint is made regarding group homes, a Code Enforcement Officer will be dispatched, along with a Police Officer and/or Fire Marshal, depending on the nature of the concern. However, it can be difficult to track the location of group homes as many are not required to obtain approval or to register through the City, County, or State.

Cities are inhibited from enacting and enforcing ordinances due to fears over the potential cost of litigation. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: The City does not have an adopted ordinance to address the regulation of group homes as there has not been a significant cause of concern from Brea residents. However, the City understands the finding and acknowledges that it may be applicable to other jurisdictions. Steven Vargas Blair Stewart Christine Marick Cecilia Hupp Marty Simonoff City Council Council Member Council Member Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Honorable Maria Hernandez September 6, 2023

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 of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: While the City understands the finding as stated in the Grand Jury report and is aware other jurisdictions may have such ordinances, this finding is not applicable to Brea as the City does not have an ordinance requiring permits or registration for the operation of a group home.

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 Brea disagrees partially with this finding. Explanation: While the City did not include regulatory measures for group homes in its Housing Element, the City did not experience challenges with obtaining its Housing Element approval. However, the City understands the finding and acknowledges that other jurisdictions have had challenges with the Housing Element approval process.

Cities have historically strategized and acted independently in addressing group home challenges and solutions. Response: The City of Brea agrees with this finding.

Well-operated group homes can integrate smoothly into neighborhoods. Response: The City of Brea agrees with this finding.

There is a lack of regulatory oversight for the health and safety of residents of unlicensed group homes. Response: The City of Brea disagrees wholly with this finding. Explanation: The City utilizes its Police Department, Fire Department, and Code Enforcement Division to ensure the health and safety of all residents. The City has also updated its Housing Element and the City Code to ensure State compliance and to better address the safety of residents. If there are complaints tied to existing ordinances (zoning, noise, property maintenance, and/or loitering) the City will send Code Enforcement to investigate the matter. City Council Marty Simonoff Christine Marick Cecilia Hupp Blair Stewart Steven Vargas Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Honorable Maria Hernandez September 6, 2023 RESPONSES TO RECOMMENDATIONS R1 through R5: