Coalition for Residential recovery reform (also known as sober living homes and facility reform) is a top priority for the Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC). ACC-OC has developed a national coalition, called the Coalition for Residential Recovery Reform Coalition (CRRR). The CRR is working with our local congressional delegation, neighboring states, and cities who are struggling with similar residential recovery issues. Residential recovery challenges transcend city, county, and state lines – the Coalition is working vigorously to find commonsense solutions to the currently broken system.
The Coalition has been at the forefront of residential recovery reform, working on a three-pronged approach to affect state and federal legislation through advocacy and support reform measures, facilitate educational meetings, and host informational events. Below are some of the CRRR’s recent actions:
- CRRR supports federal action: H.R. 472 sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa is a critical bill that would close loopholes that protect bad-acting sober living homes. If passed, the bill would empower cities to enforce current zoning laws and limit the distance of facilities in their communities. The ACC-OC strongly supports this legislation and is working to build support across the state and beyond.
- CRRR is leading state action: Supporting ACC-OC’s sponsored statewide legislation and is currently working on future bill proposals. There are just 16 state employees for the entire State of California that enforce sober living regulation. Nearly all of these state employees are in Sacramento. The ACC-OC is working on a solution that would allow cities to individually or jointly fund enforcement efforts locally. This would quickly weed out noncompliant facilities.
- CRRR is helping to inform the public through hosted public town halls, media efforts and other public education initiatives that are important to ensuring that the public and patients are aware of their rights, how to effect change, and who to call with concerns.
