Oak Park Community Council

City Cracks Down on Dangerous Independent Living Facilities

On April 17th, City Attorney Mara Elliot and Councilmember Montgomery hosted a public informational workshop at the Tubman-Chavez Center on the safety of independent living facilities (ILFs). The workshop was held in response to an alarming number of community complaints on these types of homes, in addition to the recent shutdown of two facilities in District 4 that had subjected its tenants to deplorable and inhumane living conditions. According to the City Attorney’s press release, one such home located in Oak Park at 3505 Sparling Street, was shut down last year that housed "11 victims, ranging from 57 and 84 years old, were subjected to rodent, scabies, and roach infestations, denied access to food and water, and exposed to feces in the community shower.” The owner of the home is currently facing criminal charges. The owners and property managers of such homes have little regard for the safety and welfare of neighboring residents and businesses, as some of these homes have been a magnet for drug dealing, prostitution, fights and domestic disputes, litter, as well as break-ins and loitering in nearby homes and businesses. The residents of these homes may not be ready for independent living, either suffer from severe untreated mental illness, drug addiction, or need to be in the proper home with supervised care.

What are ILFs? According to the Independent Living Association of San Diego, ILFs are: “privately-owned homes or complexes that provide housing for adults with mental illness and other disabling health conditions. They serve residents that do not need medication oversight, are able to function without supervision, and live independently.” The residents of ILFs pay rent just like any other tenant and are able to manage their finances without help.

Not all ILFs are bad apples. Some are owned and/or managed by people who are less interested in making a profit and more interested in serving their communities. However, the problem seems to be how to identify the bad apples and prevent those from taking advantage of adults and the elderly who are vulnerable and cannot fight for themselves. ILFs are unlicensed and completely unregulated and are not subject to the same state and local laws as other facilities like sober living homes and assisted living for dependent adults.

The City Attorney’s Office created the Unsafe Facilities Task Force bringing together multiple city departments, such as police, fire, and Code Enforcement/Zoning. Once the task force is notified of these homes there are several legal remedies that are being pursued such as working directly property owner to remedy the physical living conditions, appointment of a receiver, civil injunctive relief, and criminal prosecution. The City Attorney provides immediate tenant relocation assistance and referrals for tenants.

What can you do to report the problem homes? Do ALL of these steps:

Call the City’s Code Enforcement Division at (619) 236-5500  - www.sandiego.gov/development-services/code-enforcement

Call the San Diego Police  - Emergency 9-1-1 or for Non-Emergency (619) 531-2000. Ask for an event number when you call so that the case can be tracked!

www.sandiego.gov/police/crimereports/startaccess

Call the City Attorney’s Nuisance Abatement Unit at (619) 533-5655
www.sandiego.gov/cityattorney/divisions/communityjustice/nau