In early March 2025 a number of Rescue Deer Valley community members received a Certified Mail letter from 6beds.org, promoting the development of the proposed HomeCA/Native Directions Inc (NDI) commercial Substance Use Disorder facilities on Deer Valley Ct/Sands Rd in Rescue.
While we respect the stated intention to improve access to care, the 6Beds letter and the Assemblymember’s endorsement misrepresent both the scale and legality of the proposed developments. There are significant misrepresentations in this letter, as is typical with communications from HomeCA, Native Directions and now 6beds.org.
Here is the full text of the letter, as received by Chris Silva, and verified with a number of other recipients.
Detailed Rebuttal to 6Beds Letter – February 26, 2025
Similar to many communications from HomeCA and Native Directions (NDI), the letter from 6Beds.org contains numerous false and misleading statements about the proposed facilities in Rescue, CA. Below is a detailed rebuttal addressing these claims.
1. Misrepresentation of Facility Type & Legal Protections
6Beds Claim: “These Are Not Commercial Facilities”
Counterpoint:
- The applicants are pursuing commercial permits through the El Dorado County Planning Department.
- The planned facilities include staffing, service operations, and infrastructure designed for 30-40 residents, disqualifying them from being considered small residential homes under state standards.
- These facilities will charge state programs and residents for care, clearly making them commercial operations.
6Beds Claim: “These Homes Are Protected by Law and the County Must Approve Them”
Counterpoint:
- The County is under no legal obligation to approve facilities that do not meet zoning and land use requirements.
- As documented in El Dorado County Counsel David Livingston’s June 7, 2024 letter, the proposed use is not permitted by right and requires discretionary approval by the county, which triggers requirement for a full CEQA and planning review.
- State agencies funding the project (DHCS/CDSS) have explicitly stated in writing that local jurisdictions must approve permits and verify zoning compliance.
6Beds Claim: “These Homes Are Just Like Any Other Care Home”
Counterpoint:
- These proposed facilities have dozens of daily occupants, rotating staff, and service infrastructure—all of which are inconsistent with Rural Residential zoning and require commercial permits.
- This is not about stigma—it is about appropriate land use, infrastructure capacity, and community/patient safety.
2. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Facilities & Medical Risks
6Beds Claim: “These Are Not Substance Use Treatment Centers”
Counterpoint:
- State grants awarded to HomeCA and Native Directions are specifically designated for the construction and operation of SUD treatment facilities.
- If these were truly non-treatment residential facilities, they would not qualify for this funding in the first place.
- The developers cannot have it both ways—touting SUD treatment services when seeking grant money, then denying that purpose when seeking public approval.
6Beds Claim: “Facilities Will Not Provide Medical Services”
Counterpoint:
- While 6Beds.org claims these facilities won’t provide medical services, that can change at any time.
- Once operating, they can apply for state certification to offer Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), introducing controlled substances and medical waste risks to the well water supply and surrounding community.
- The Native Directions facility in Manteca previously applied for MAT services, showing a clear precedent.
3. Serious Public Safety & Infrastructure Concerns
6Beds Claim: Community Concerns About Safety Are Overstated
Counterpoint: The 6Beds letter ignores serious safety concerns, including:
- Very High Fire Severity Zones (Cal Fire Designation)
- Substandard rural road access (Deer Valley Rd, Sands Rd)
- Limited emergency service response times
- Well water shortages and aging electrical infrastructure
These are not hypothetical concerns—they are documented local risks that make high-occupancy commercial treatment centers inappropriate and hazardous in this setting.
Implied: Facilities Will Not Create Homelessness Issues
- Many SUD treatment centers evict patients for drug relapse or rule violations.
- Evicted patients have no recovery net in rural Rescue, increasing the risk of crime, injury, or death.
- The Native Directions facility in Manteca had a documented fatality due to an eviction.
4. Geographic Mismatch & Lack of Local Need
6Beds Claim: “These Projects Expand Access in Underserved Areas”
Counterpoint:
- The grant documents explicitly state that patients will be transported from all over California, and predominantly from San Joaquin County (Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, etc.)—not from El Dorado County.
- El Dorado County has a world-class Native American medical services facility run by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
- The project fails to serve a local need and undermines the grant’s intent for “Geographic Equity” by placing a facility far from the population it claims to serve, in an area with limited infrastructure and access to healthcare services.
6Beds Tactic: Outside Political Influence is Required
- It is concerning that an Assemblymember from outside the district is attempting to influence local planning decisions that fall squarely under the jurisdiction of El Dorado County and its residents.
- This is not a political issue—it is a zoning and safety matter.
5. Profit-Driven Motive & Lack of Transparency
6Beds Claim: “These Homes Operate Solely for Community Benefit”
Counterpoint:
- Why did this letter come from 6Beds.org? They are not the developer (HomeCA), not the property owner (GR Berkshire Trust), and not the managing care provider (Native Directions, Inc.).
- 6Beds.org is a consultancy that helps entrepreneurs generate revenue from residential SUD treatment homes.
- Gina Wasdyke (founder of HomeCA, 6Beds.org, and GR Berkshire Trust, among many others) stands to financially gain from these facilities.
6Beds Implied Claim: Opposition is Based on Discrimination
Counterpoint:
- The 6Beds letter falsely implies that community opposition is due to Native American patients.
- Rescue Deer Valley includes vocal Native American residents who are outraged that these facilities would ship Native Americans across the state to a dangerous, rural location.
6. Conclusion: The County Has the Authority to Deny These Permits
- The time for community dialogue was before Ms. Wasdyke purchased these properties as grant collateral.
- Instead of due diligence, HomeCA, Native Directions, and 6Beds.org are now resorting to misleading statements and false legal claims to force these poorly planned facilities onto an existing community.
- The County has the legal authority to deny these permits, and the community stands firm in opposition.
Rescue Deer Valley! 