Share your opinions about sober living and recovery home issues
Residents are encouraged to share their experiences and opinions regarding sober living homes as part of a legislative audit.
The City of Mission Viejo spearheaded an effort last year to address the growing challenges associated with the proliferation of sober living and recovery homes in neighborhoods. That work led to the formation of the California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force, which is co-chaired by Mission Viejo Council Member Wendy Bucknum.
More than 200 people representing 37 jurisdictions across the state have participated in one of the seven public meetings facilitated by the Task Force, as momentum and support continues to grow rapidly. In addition to advocating for legislative reform at the state level, the Task Force has supported numerous relevant initiatives to address this issue, provide residents with relief, and ensure people suffering from addiction receive proper care in an appropriate setting.
The Task Force is also supporting Assembly Member Diane Dixon’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) request of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and its role in the licensing, regulation, and oversight of sober living homes. With the audit now underway, auditors are asking residents to share their experiences.
To play a vital role in the audit process, you can share your experience and opinion regarding sober living homes with JLAC auditors by filling out this form.
For more information, signup for updates on the Task Force website and attend an upcoming public meeting.
Comments
I think everyone involved in…
I think everyone involved in this issue should watch "The Program" on Netflix and see what is happening in this unregulated industry, as I can attest to the fact that these homes are not run properly, as this has been going on for decades.
I applaud those who try to…
I applaud those who try to help in the context of sober living. However, there are too many unsafe conditions for these sober living homes to operate within a neighborhood. Residents have stated that individuals under the influence arriving at sober living homes walk into the wrong home, either front door or side, stating they are checking in. These are homes with children and residents are terrified when this happens. Also the cigarettes and noise (music) and numerous cars on the street make it an unfit area for families to feel safe. I do not support these within residential areas.
Kevin Krasner
President, MVEA
This is a business, plain…
This is a business, plain and simple. Sober living/recovery homes house 5-7 “patients” generating $100K/mo in revenue. These patients come and go at all hours of day and night turning over every 4-6 weeks making a residential home a cross between a hotel and a hospital. There are laws and CCRs for years prohibiting business from residential neighborhoods. We don’t allow homes to become medical clinics, or retail stores , or homeless shelters, etc. Sober living homes should be treated like these other commercial business and abide in commercial zoning areas. Enough with the dithering. It’s time to legally treat these like the businesses they are. And let neighborhoods be the peaceful long term residential housing it was designed.
