23 (17)Jennifer L. Hall
From: Nicholas J. Taylor
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2021 12:54 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Letter of Support for Grandma's House of Hope
Attachments: Letter of Support for Grandma's House of Hope jpg
From: FCCA Office <
Sent: Monday, October 25, 202112:18 PM
To: Nicholas J. Taylor <NJTaylor@anaheim.net>
Cc: jkreitner@grandmashouseofhope.org; Tobi Aclaro <Tobi@grandmashouseofhope.org>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Letter of Support for Grandma's House of Hope
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Dear City of Anaheim,
I strongly support the request from Grandma's House of Hope for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to
operate a transitional housing program for vulnerable women experiencing homelessness with a mental
health disability. I have attached a signed letter of support.
My church partners with a ministry that reaches out to women and men in restoration and
recovery. Through this partnership, I have personally worked with a couple of the current Grandma's
House of Hope locations. Our church also includes an individual who has been housed by Grandma's
House of Hope. The homes are wonderful places for individuals to heal and to move forward into a better
future. They are thoughtful about their presence in the community, and they have wonderful staff that are
present to each house. I have good experiences communicating with staff. I have witnessed Grandma's
House of Hope to be an asset to vulnerable people in our community and to be filled with staff ready to be
good neighbors to those around them.
Thank you for your time and attention,
Emily Miller -Todd
Associate Pastor
First Congregational Church
515 N. State College Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 776-0960
www.fccanaheim.or
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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 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.
Signature
Grandma's House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity I Tax ID # 26-0391438
206 N State College Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92806 I P:714.558.8600 I F:714.558.8613
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