23 (29)Jennifer L. Hall
From: Nicholas J. Taylor
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2021 11:29 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Please approve Granma's House of Hope project in Anaheim.
From: Susan Drees Kadota <
Sent: Monday, October 25, 202111:16 AM
To: Nicholas J. Taylor <NJTaylor@anaheim.net>
Cc: jkreitner@grandmashouseofhope.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Please approve Granma's House of Hope project in Anaheim.
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
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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 92801.1 have a
beloved family member in residence in one of Grandma's House of Hope homes. I am so thankful that she
found this extraordinary organization. She has truly been transformed by their program and their care. I
strongly urge your approval of this new home as the women who would be served by this home are truly in
need of it. Please support this project as there are so many people here in Orange County that could benefit
from the care and attention that Granma's House of Hope provides to their residents. I include the text of a
letter supplied by Granma's House of Hope below:
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. 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.
Best regards and Thank you for being a light to those in need,
Susan Kadota
nitaylorO-anaheim.net
Please cc: jkreitner(a�grandmashouseofhope.org