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Jennifer L. Hall
From:Nicholas J. Taylor
Sent:Wednesday, October 20, 2021 1:50 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:FW: \[EXTERNAL\] Re: Cup Dev2021-06106
Importance:High
From: Elizabeth Matusak <
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 1:36 PM
To: Nicholas J. Taylor <NJTaylor@anaheim.net>
Cc: jkreitner@grandmashouseofhope.org
Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] Re: Cup Dev2021-06106
Importance: High
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
To the Anaheim City Council,
I am writing this letter in support of Grandma’s House of Hope and the proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
(DEV2021-06016) located at 626 N. West St., Anaheim, CA 92801. I have been informed that the Planning Department
Staff Report recommended approval for the proposed project. I believe that this project would help address the
homelessness crisis facing Anaheim, and that Grandma’s House of Hope (GHH) has and will operate this project in a
reputable and considerate manner.
As someone who is concerned for the plight of those living on our streets, many with mental health challenges that have
never been diagnosed, I know action must be taken to assist those in need and end the cycle of homelessness. By doing
so, we are enhancing our community by preserving the dignity of all people and their right to be fairly housed without
discrimination.
The housing services that GHH has provided for the last 17 years has earned them an excellent reputation with their
peers and partners. Their hard work has resulted in 4 contracts with the Orange County Healthcare Agency (3 of these to
provide housing and services to those with a mental health diagnosis), 2 with CALOES in Sacramento for Victims of Crime
and CESH funding to provide housing and services for victims of domestic violence. Their success in moving their
participants to Permanent Housing within 12 months is 65%, which is among the highest in the county.
Our homeless population is diverse, and GHH serves all individuals, including those with mental illness, who are often
the most vulnerable. There is a lot of stigma and misinformation surrounding mental illness; and I would be very
discouraged to know that discrimination had any place in the decision-making process of the Anaheim City Council.
I understand that the staff report for this project supported approval of the CUP, and that GHH is quite experienced with
this population and the County holds it in high regard with the OC Healthcare Agency, who administers the contract for
these services and audits the program annually.
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Neighbors saying, they “don’t want these people” in their neighborhood is not the standard to deny a project or dismiss
the Planning Department Staff Report, which is assembled thoughtfully and in great detail over a 6–9-month time frame.
It is rare for the commissioners to reject the recommendations of the staff report. I am informed and believe that a vote
of 6-0 to deny is almost unheard of when the Staff Report has recommended approval. It concerns me that this decision
was based on discriminatory comments from protesters at the hearing.
I strongly ask that you support this project and be instrumental in helping our community.
Elizabeth Matusak
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