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January 22, 2018 TO: Santa Ana Planning Commission; Mark McLoughlin, Chair & Citywide representative, Cynthia Contreras — Leo, Vice Chair, Ward 5, Phil Bacerra, Ward 4, Eric Alderete, Ward 1, Kenneth Nguyen, Ward 3, Beatrice Mendoza, Ward 6 FROM: Santa Ana Healthy Neighborhoods Alliance REQUEST: Relocation of the Mental Health Association (MHA) Homeless Multi -Service Center Dear Planning Commissioners The Santa Ana Healthy Neighborhoods Alliance is focused at Health, Education and Safety. SAHNA was founded by residents from the four original neighborhoods (Madison Park, Eastside, Wilshire Square and Heninger Park) who were the Pacific Electric Park Collaborative and resulted in the opening of our new Pacific Electric Park on McFadden and Maple. SAHNA has also been an advocate for solutions to help our homeless neighbors. We supported and rallied around a homeless transitional shelter to be established at the former OCTA building at Civic Center, and were pleased when the County approved The Courtyard Transitional Shelter located at Santa Ana Blvd. As residents we are very concerned with our homeless neighbors living in, and wandering in the streets at South Main street and Warner, and the surrounding neighborhoods. We are concerned for their safety, health issues that go unaddressed, and the detrimental public health and environmental issues now affecting all of the community. The close proximity to the Esqueda and Monroe schools exposes children, parents and teachers to these challenges and problems. The Mental Health Association (MHA), Homeless Multi -Service Center located at 2416 S. Main Street provides services to the homeless who have a severe and persistent mental illness. As a result of the operation of this Center, the homeless population has increased in this area, placing the homeless with mental illness at risk who are now living in the streets and, in establishing encampments. The Main Street fast flow traffic is a real and on -going danger to the MHA clients. This crisis has negatively impacted the businesses and residents with public health and environmental issues. We request that the planning commission research the permits approved for the MHA to operate at the Main street location. Was there a public hearing before approval was granted? When will the permits and contract with the city terminate? We seek that the MHA operators and the City work together for a more appropriate location to provide services to our homeless neighbors with severe and persistent mental illness -- and link to providing housing while services are provided. i As Commissioners you have a very important role to represent and protect all members of the community. Please advocate for a more appropriate location for the services provided by MHA. The need is for these services to be connected to housing. Is the Courtyard Transitional Center an option for the MHA to operate under, or one of the other current housing facilities for our homeless neighbors? Our homeless need to have a secure and consistent place to sleep, and medical services easily accessible. From our knowledge The Courtyard can provide, and/or look into other options available. As thM appointed Planning Commission your NUMBER 1 GOAL IS COMMUNITY SAFETY! Thank you for your expertise and guidance in solving this crisis --- that just keeps growing. You can contact us at: Irma, 714 606 -6340 and Liia at-744 290 — 3586. Li Aran,ard Member Santa A `"1 1 Neighborhoods Alliance Copy: Candida Neal, AICP, Acting Executive Director, Vince Fregoso, AICP, Acting Planning Manager