Orni City of Brea September 19, 2018 Honorable Charles Margines Presiding Judge Superior Court of California, County of*

Homelessness in Orange County is a regional problem requiring regional approaches and solutions. Response: The City of Brea agrees with this finding.

The lack of a regional plan designating specific development goals for Permanent Supportive Housing contributes to an insufficient number of available units to house the chronically homeless. Response: The City of Brea agrees partially with this finding. While a regional plan could facilitate the goal of increasing Permanent Supportive Housing, having a plan in place does not mean the issue would automatically improve. The City of Brea actively tries to find ways to ameliorate homelessness needs via the Brea Resource Center and Homeless Outreach Team, via finding both housing and supportive services to improve overall quality of life. Marty Simonoff Steven Vargas Christine Marick Cecilia Hupp City Council Glenn Parker Council Member Council Member Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Civic & Cultural Center • 1 Civic Center Circle • Brea, California 92821-5732 • 714/990-7600 • FAX 714/990-2258 • www.cityofbrea.net Recycled Cert no SCS COC 001182 0 1996 FSC Honorable Charles Margines September 19, 2018

Cities' reluctance to provide sites for Permanent Supportive Housing development has contributed to overcrowded emergency shelters and an increased unsheltered homeless population. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. The City of Brea offers many low income housing options to serve our community through the Low Income Rental Program. Additionally, should any opportunities for development of Permanent Supportive Housing be brought through a development plan review process, the City of Brea would examine the option objectively. It is deceptive to place the fault of overcrowded emergency shelters on the City of Brea, when the organization is actively working on ways to mitigate homelessness issues.

Service Planning Area meetings have successfully brought together city, county, and non-profit entities to share information on homeless issues, but have not fostered decision- making or action. Response: The City of Brea disagrees wholly with this finding. The Service Planning Area meetings are a valuable resource for information sharing and relationship building among neighboring cities. The action of meeting together to discuss issues and policies generates the ability to make informed, collaborative decisions. Specifically, these meetings have put into action the development of new shelters that will expand options and reduce homelessness in the Service Planning Area.

NIMBYism has impeded the creation of housing for the homeless, including Permanent Supportive Housing, in the County of Orange. Response: The City of Brea agrees with this finding. While there are many factors that impede the creation of housing for the homeless, protests against developments for the homeless play a large role.

Orange County cities and the County have engaged in blaming and finger-pointing, hampering the collaborative efforts needed to site, finance, and maintain Permanent Supportive Housing. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. There have been positive, collaborative efforts between Orange County cities resulting in the planned development of new homeless shelters. This ability to work with other cities cohesively demonstrates the positive relationship the City of Brea has with its counterparts. The City of Brea also believes it has objectively and honestly assessed homeless issues and has taken action to address them. However, the City of Brea believes improved cooperation with the County of Orange could greatly benefit homeless issues. Honorable Charles Margines September 19, 2018

Cities have taken a silo approach to developing Permanent Supportive Housing, resulting in inefficient leveraging and pooling of funds across municipal borders. Response: The City of Brea disagrees partially with this finding. The North SPA meetings have allowed cities to work collaboratively together and promote information sharing. These partnerships have caused the cities to band together to look at the issue with a county-wide approach. Additionally, the City of Brea's Resource Center and Homeless Outreach Team work consistently with its neighboring cities to address homeless concerns.

There is no established, independent leadership body in the County empowered to address regional homeless issues in an effective manner. Response: The City of Brea agrees with this finding.