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1 1 17,-_-__Th 1 c Coclrtion for Community Choice February 6, 2017 Honorable Pleasanton City Council i As the National Coordinator of the Coalition for Community Choice and Director of Community Engagement and Housing Network for Madison House Autism Foundation, I am delighted that the Sunflower Hill project has been approved by both the Housing Commission and the Planning Commission. I hope that the Pleasanton City Council will do the same. This project is part of a larger, national movement that aims to meet the needs of the most vulnerable citizens with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) who risk institutionalization or forced placement into the "next empty bed." Sunflower Hill is a desperately needed housing model with the potential to be replicated in other communities across the state and throughout the country. The crisis in California is staggering: Almost 100,000 citizens with 0/DD live with a caregiver over the age of 60. The growth of access to supervised residential settings in the entire state of California has averaged less than 1,000 citizens annually for the past 15 years. The fear special needs families face when thinking "what will happen to my child?" can be paralyzing. Sunflower Hill is easing these worries by helping local families find affordable housing for loved ones with special needs. We commend the Pleasanton City Council for its leadership and dedication to its citizens with I/DD. This innovative public-private partnership will foster greater community inclusion and integration and prevent citizens from being forced to leave their community. Our hope is that Pleasanton will continue to be an example of how a city can commit to a better, more inclusive future for citizens with special needs and their families. Respectfully, Desiree Kameka National Coordinator, Coalition for Community Choice 15201 Shady Grove Road, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850 1 240.246.7140