City of Laguna Niguel City Council*

Group homes too close to one another contribute to the problems associated with overconcentration. Response: Agree. While the City of Laguna Niguel does not have specific experience with the overconcentration of group homes, and cannot speak directly to the experience of other cities, the question as stated assumes, by definition, that overconcentration equals group homes being too close.

Common nuisances are more likely and disruptive when sober living homes are concentrated in a small geographic area of a neighborhood. Response: Partially Disagree. There is not enough information provided to wholly agree, or wholly disagree. Additionally, the City does not have specific experience with group homes being concentrated in a small geographic area, nor does it assume that this category of homes will be/is disruptive by nature.

Some cities have successfully addressed and informed community members about the challenges faced in regulating group homes. Response: Partially Disagree. While some cities have addressed and informed their community members about this topic, whether or not it can be classified as a success depends on the individual city and how they define success with their community members.

Community Satisfaction was minimal when cities took the traditional public comment approach towards addressing community complaints. Response: Partially Disagree. In specific instances where complaints may have been received, the City has satisfactorily provided individuals with information on the local, state and federal laws. However, each city may have their own definition of satisfaction based upon the unique makeup of their community members, and the City can not speak to how each city defines community satisfaction.

Cities are not utilizing police, fire, and code enforcement complaints as a means of locating and tracking Group Homes. Response: Disagree. While the City does not single out group homes for regulation or tracking purposes, cities do often learn of the location of such homes from a complaint that may be received at the staff level. The City responds to all complaints received by the public, regardless of topic area, in a fair and consistent fashion.

Cities are inhibited from enacting and enforcing ordinances due to fears over the potential cost of litigation. Response: Disagree. While the fiscal implications of litigation are likely a factor of consideration for all cities, especially those that are fiscally responsible and/or financially conservative in nature, there is no substantial evidence included to support that any city has formally avoided enacting/enforcing ordinances due to this fear.

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 ordinance. Response: Partially Disagree. The City has not actively monitored other cities regarding the enforcement of their ordinances, thus does not have enough information to comment on their experiences. The City does have an existing ministerial process by which to permit; however, has not needed to do so in recent years.

City and County officials are deterred from regulating group homes by California Housing and Community Development's housing element approval process. Response: Partially Disagree. The City has worked consistently with HCD related to housing element certification, including in the area of group homes, and supports reasonable regulations while complying with laws. However, the City is unaware of the direct experience that other cities may be experiencing, or have experienced with HCD, so it can not comment on that specifically.

Cities have historically strategized and acted independently in addressing group home challenges and solutions. Response: Partially Disagree. While the City agrees that cities have acted independently in addressing group homes, several regional groups have convened to discuss the topic, as has CalCities, which represents most, if not all Orange County cities, to engage in legislation related to relevant topics, including group homes.

Well-operated group homes can integrate smoothly into neighborhoods. Response: Agree

There is a lack of regulatory oversight for the health and safety of residents of unlicensed group homes. Response: Partially Disagree. The City has no issues related to unlicensed group homes that are directly related to the safety and health of residents of any unlicensed group home that may be located in the City, and does not have enough information to comments on behalf of other cities with unlicensed group homes.