23 (18)Jennifer L. Hall
From:
Nicholas J. Taylor
Sent:
Monday, October 25, 2021 12:53 PM
To:
Public Comment
Subject:
FW: [EXTERNAL] Comments on Grandma's House of Hope request
Attachments:
Grandma's House letter to Anaheim.doc
From: Warren Lortie <
Sent: Monday, October 25, 202111:36 AM
To: Nicholas J. Taylor <NJTaylor@anaheim.net>; jkreitner@grandmashouseofhope.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Comments on Grandma's House of Hope request
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
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Letter attached
Warren H. Lortie, President
Warren Lortie Associates, Inc.
Tool Dove Street Ste. 220
Newport Beach, CA 9266o
tel (949)679-5707, fax 679-5730
arren Lortie Associates
To the Anaheim City Council,
1001 Dove Street, Suite 220
Newport Beach, California 92660
tel (949) 679-5707 fax (949) 679-5730
I am writing this letter in support of Grandma's House of Hope (GHH) 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. 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.
Sincerely,
Warren H. Lortie, President
a real estate investment and asset development company