23 (34)Jennifer L. Hall
From: Nicholas J. Taylor
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 9:03 AM
To: Public Comment
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Comment on GHH Application (CUP) (DEV2021-06016)
Attachments: GHH letter to Anaheim City Council.pdf
From: Ken Vargha <
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 20218:49 AM
To: Nicholas J. Taylor <NJTaylor@anaheim.net>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Comment on GHH Application (CUP) (DEV2021-06016)
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
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Please see attached.
Best regards.
Ken Vargha
Ken Vargha
Anaheim, CA 92807
October 26, 2021
Anaheim City Council,
I am writing this email 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
read in the OC Register about this proposal and saw that the Planning Department Staff Report
recommended approval for the proposed project.
The issue of homelessness is complex, and the needs are immense. I believe that projects like
these from reputable organizations like Grandma's House of Hope (GHH) are needed to help
address the homelessness crisis facing Anaheim. My family and I have been involved in trying
to support those struggling with homelessness in Orange County since we moved back to
California in 2009 through Halcyon House, Thomas House Family Shelter, and GHH. 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.
Our family is pleased to be a financial supporter of GHH and the services they provide. 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.