SUBJECT: A REGIONAL CAMPUS FOR HEALING: SOBER HOUSING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT (GREEN OAK RANCH) (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Title
Body
OVERVIEW
Homelessness, mental health, and addiction are some of the most pressing issues facing our region. Despite great strides taken to address these issues, we are a far cry from meeting the long-term needs of San Diego County’s homeless population. According to the 2023 Point in Time Count, homelessness increased by 22%. A study conducted by UC San Francisco found that 82% of our homeless population has mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
At the heart of this crisis lies a critical shortage of resources and housing tailored to individuals with mental health challenges and substance use disorder. These challenges will continue to worsen unless we take immediate steps towards long-term investments in our continuum of care. To prevent people from falling through the gaps, we need long-term housing solutions for those in treatment and recovery. San Diego County needs a campus for healing, where individuals can live in sober housing and continue to receive services as they rebuild their lives.
Green Oak Ranch is a hidden oasis, tucked into urban Vista, currently operating as a faith-based sober living program. For nearly a decade, the Veteran Stand Down has taken place at Green Oak Ranch. The Stand Down takes place once a year, when dozens of services are offered to homeless veterans to help them get connected to what they need. The site has historically been a place of healing, and the Board of Supervisors should continue its legacy, while significantly increasing the capacity.
This is a unique location and opportunity. With the increasing number of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, coupled with legislative initiatives such as CARE Court, Senate Bill 43, and Proposition 1, the time is now to invest in a campus for healing for long-term sober housing and treatment facilities. Green Oak Ranch has the capacity to accommodate withdrawal management beds, recovery residences, and board and care facilities. In addition, the property has the potential to contribute to the County’s conservation and recreation goals. In seizing this opportunity, we will lay the foundation for a long-term housing and treatment solution for the most vulnerable members of our society.
Throughout the County, we have seen an increase in regional facilities, and more are needed. Cities and the County are working to expand emergency housing options regionwide. This campus for healing would be an important regional asset, serving as a haven for individuals to go after they graduate from temporary shelters. We know that hospitals are in desperate need of facilities where they can safely discharge patients. Green Oak Ranch, in the long-term, can meet these needs in a meaningful way.
This campus for healing would be a place of regional rehabilitation. With 24/7 on-site security, job/skills training, opportunities to continue education, and recreational facilities, Green Oak Ranch has the potential to be the first of its kind as a home to those in need of sober living housing as they continue their recovery. At Green Oak Ranch, we will also ensure that long-term, suitable housing is identified for those who are graduating from the program prior to their release from the programs. With a recent decision by Palomar Hospital to shut down 12 inpatient behavioral health beds, it’s critical for the County to build out the continuum of care to free up shorter term resources for those with longer term needs.
Beyond the immediate rehabilitation and housing potential of the campus, the site can support the County’s conservation and recreation goals. Approximately 63.3 acres of the site includes open space/habitat areas. The habitat area includes portions of Buena Creek, which serves as an important wildlife corridor, contributes to improved water quality and helps regulate the area’s local microclimate. Additionally, the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher was identified onsite. The rest of the site is largely developable, with potential for civic and recreational opportunities such as public trails connecting to the surrounding community.
Today’s action would direct the interim Chief Administrative Officer to enter into negotiations for the purchase of Green Oak Ranch.
RECOMMENDATIONS
CHAIRWOMAN NORA VARGAS AND SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND
1. Find that the proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not approve a project as defined under Sections 15061(b)(3), 15378(b)(4) and (5) of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Direct the interim Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to enter into good faith negotiations with the owners/trustees of Green Oak Ranch for the purchase of the property.
3. Upon successful negotiations, authorize Director, Department of General Services to execute an option to purchase agreement for the purchase of Green Oak Ranch, pay the option deposit, and perform the necessary due diligence and planning on the property.
4. Subject to the execution of the option to purchase agreement, add to the 2025-26 Capital Improvement Needs Assessment (CINA) the purchase of the Green Oak Ranch property and development of a master plan for a long-term buildout of the property based on mental health treatment services and substance use addiction treatment programmatic needs, which may include: withdrawal management beds, recovery residences, and board and care.
5. Direct the interim Chief Administrative Officer to take all steps necessary to ensure that when programs begin, the Green Oak Ranch property will have round-the-clock on-site security and require sober living, and people exiting the programs will be placed in suitable long-term housing.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Prioritizing the expansion of behavioral health treatment and housing is essential to address the pressing challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction and mental illness in our community. Delaying the implementation of vital services due to lack of housing exacerbates the suffering of vulnerable populations, highlighting the critical need for a property where people can live and continue treatment.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
This proposed action contributes to the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal of protecting the health and well-being of all San Diegan residents. Enhancing access to housing and mental health and substance use disorder treatment is of paramount priority for the County’s most vulnerable residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
If approved, these recommendations would result in one-time costs in the Health and Human Services Agency estimated at $300,000, for a good faith deposit for the purchase of the Green Oak Ranch property and site due diligence which includes hazardous materials review and CEQA review. This amount can be supported by available appropriations in the Health and Human Services Agency based on FY 2023-24 Operational Plan spending authority. The funding source is existing one-time General Purpose Revenue. Approval of these recommendations will reduce year-end operating results by $300,000, which would otherwise replenish the General Fund minimum reserve. There will be no additional staff years.
Costs and revenue for the acquisition and initial management of the Green Oak Ranch property as a campus for healing for long-term sober housing and treatment facilities will be based on successful negotiations to purchase the property. Estimated total costs include acquisition of the property (estimated at up to $12.0 million) and maintenance prior to any property improvements. There will be ongoing costs associated with the maintenance of the property.
Depending on the programs that will be located at Green Oak Ranch, additional ongoing funding will be required. Some of the services identified, including recovery residences and board and care, are not currently eligible for Medi-Cal reimbursement and will therefore result in new costs solely funded by County funds to be identified. There will be fiscal impacts associated with future related recommendations and will be based on the specific programming needs that are established. Staff would return to the Board for consideration and approval.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Homelessness, mental health, and addiction are some of the most pressing issues facing our community. Despite great strides taken to address these issues, we are a far cry from meeting the long-term needs of San Diego’s homeless population. According to the 2023 Point in Time Count, homelessness increased by 22% in 2023. A study conducted by UC San Francisco found that 82% of our homeless population has mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
At the heart of this crisis lies a critical shortage of resources and housing tailored to individuals with mental health challenges and substance use disorder. These are challenges that will continue to worsen unless we take immediate steps towards a long-term investment in our continuum of care. To prevent people from falling through the gaps, we need long-term housing solutions for those in treatment and recovery. The County of San Diego needs a campus for healing, where individuals can live in sober housing and continue to receive services as they rebuild their lives.
Green Oak Ranch is a hidden oasis, tucked into urban Vista, currently operating as a faith-based sober living program for 50 men. A map of the property is shown below. The site has historically been a place of healing, and the County should continue its legacy, while significantly increasing the capacity.
Parcel A: 57.8 acres - APN 217-011-45 with no improvements - Nature Habitat, available for purchase.
Parcel B: 28.1 acres - APN 217-011-46 with some improvements - Not for sale (Green Oak
Ranch Ministries substance use recovery program is moving to this parcel).
Parcel C: 46.7 acres - APN 217-011-47 with improvements - Usable Space, available for purchase.
Parcel D: 5.5 acres -APN 217-011-15 with no improvements- Nature Habitat, available for purchase.
For nearly a decade, the Veteran Stand Down has taken place at Green Oak Ranch. The Stand Down takes place once a year, when dozens of services are offered to homeless veterans to help them get connected to what they need. If the County purchases Green Oak Ranch, we would be able to serve the homeless veteran population year-round.
Throughout the County, we have seen an increase in emergency housing capacity. Cities and the County have all contributed to increases across the region. This campus for healing would be an important regional asset, serving as a haven for individuals to go after they graduate from temporary shelters. We know that hospitals are in desperate need of facilities where they can safely discharge patients. Green Oak Ranch can meet these needs in a meaningful way.
Senate Bill 43 and LPS-Designated Facilities:
Senate Bill (SB) 43 makes changes to the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act - a California law governing involuntary detention, treatment, and conservatorship of people with behavioral health conditions. This new statute significantly updates California’s civil detention and conservatorship laws by establishing new diagnostic criteria and by broadening the definition of “grave disability”. The criteria by which people may be civilly detained under the LPS Act includes:
• Danger to self,
• Danger to others, or
• Grave disability.
Prior to SB 43, the LPS Act defined “gravely disabled” as either a condition in which a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, is unable to provide for their basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter.
New law as indicated by bold text, SB 43 expands the definition “gravely disabled” to include:
• people with a mental health disorder, a severe substance use disorder, or a co-occurring mental health disorder and a severe substance use disorder,
• and, who are unable to provide for their basic needs for food OR clothing OR shelter OR access to necessary medical care OR personal safety.
This process usually begins with the initiation of a “5150 hold” of an individual by a peace officer, or other designated personnel like a mobile crisis response team member, where they will be transported to an LPS-designated facility. County LPS Designated facilities are mental health treatment facilities that are designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, approved by the State Department of Health Care Services, and licensed as a health facility.
Proposition 1:
Proposition 1 is a two-part measure, that amended the California Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and created a $6.38 billion general obligation bond. The California MHSA will be reconfigured to be the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) which will allow for spending for substance abuse disorders and command spending for non-clinical housing services. Secondly, it creates a $6.38 billion general obligation bond that would fund behavioral health treatment and residential facilities, and supportive housing for veterans and individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness with behavioral health challenges.
Care Court:
The Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court program created a pathway to deliver mental health and substance use services to individuals who are diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders and are not engaged in treatment.
Through a state law, CARE Court created a process for families, clinicians, first responders, and others to file a petition with the civil court to connect individuals (ages 18+) to court-ordered voluntary treatment if they meet criteria and would benefit from the program.
This court-ordered voluntary treatment may include the need for housing.
This campus for healing would be a place of rehabilitation. Approximately 46.7 acres are available for this purpose, as shown as Parcel C on the map above. This parcel is developed with a private recreation youth camp and recovery facility and a long-term trailer/RV park with 22 spaces. The recovery facility includes various structures totaling 33,319 square feet, which includes a dining hall, meeting halls, chapel, nature center, staff offices, and cabins. With 24/7 on-site security, job/skills training, opportunities to continue education, and recreational facilities, Green Oak Ranch has the potential to be the first of its kind as a home to those in need of sober living housing as they continue their recovery. At Green Oak Ranch, we will also ensure that long-term, suitable housing is identified for those who are graduating from the program prior to their release from the programs. With a recent decision by Palomar Hospital to shut down 12 inpatient behavioral health beds, it’s critical for the County to build out the continuum of care to free up shorter term resources for those with longer term needs.
It is anticipated that building and infrastructure would require improvements to be used for County programs as well as construction of new buildings. Infrastructure costs are roughly estimated at approximately $51,000,000. Improvements to existing buildings are approximated at $5,200,000. New facilities for County programs on this property are estimated up to $280,000,000. Costs for California Environmental Quality Act analysis may range from $100,000 to $300,000 for a Mitigated Negative Declaration and $500,000 to $1,500,000 for an Environmental Impact Report. Annual maintenance and operations are estimated up to $2,100,000.
Beyond the immediate rehabilitation and housing potential of the campus, the site can support the County’s conservation and passive recreation goals. Approximately 63.3 acres of the site includes open space/habitat areas with existing trails as shown as Parcel’s A and D above. The habitat area includes portions of Buena Creek, which serves as an important wildlife corridor, contributes to improved water quality, and helps regulate the area’s local microclimate. Additionally, the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher was identified onsite, which thrive in habitat characterized by relatively low growing, dry-season deciduous and succulent plants (coastal sage scrub). The rest of the site is largely developable, with potential for civic and recreational opportunities such as public trails connecting to the surrounding community and continue the existing use as allowed by the Major Use Permit. Estimated costs for care of the open space are approximately $160,000 in initial costs and approximately $100,000 annually.
This is a unique location and opportunity. With the increasing number of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, coupled with legislative initiatives such as CARE Court, SB 43, and Proposition 1, the time is now to invest in a campus for healing for long-term sober housing and treatment facilities. Green Oak Ranch has the capacity to accommodate withdrawal management beds, recovery residences, and board and care facilities. In seizing this opportunity, we will lay the foundation for a long-term housing and treatment solution for the most vulnerable members of our society.
Withdrawal management beds: A withdrawal management or detox bed is a specialized clinical facility providing supervised care for individuals undergoing withdrawal from substance abuse, aiming to ensure safety and comfort during the withdrawal process.
Recovery residences: A sober living home is a residential facility providing a supportive environment for individuals with Substance Use Disorder, fostering recovery, accountability, and community.
Board and Care facilities: A board and care facility is a residential setting offering housing, meals, and assistance with activities of daily living for individuals who require some level of support but do not need full-time nursing care.
Today’s action would direct the interim Chief Administrative Officer to enter into negotiations for the purchase of Green Oak Ranch.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The Board's approval to enter into an option-to-purchase agreement for the potential acquisition of parcels 217-011-15, 217-011-45, and 217-011-47 (Parcels A, C and D, totaling 110.06 acres) is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) as the transfer of ownership of an interest in land does not include any activity or change in the existing use of the property that may cause a significant effect on the environment. Additionally, the requested Board action does not commit the County to a definite course of action with respect to any project (CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15378(b)(4) and (5)). There are no development plans currently in place for this site. Any future changes to the property that may result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment will be contingent upon CEQA compliance once proposed.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today's proposed action supports the Health, Housing, and Quality of Life Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by expanding access to detox beds, recovery residences, and board and cares.
Respectfully submitted,
JIM DESMOND NORA VARGAS
Supervisor, Fifth District Chairwoman, First District
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Maps and Photos of Green Oak Ranch