Title
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING ABILITY TO CONTROL RENT INCREASES IN MOBILE HOME PARKS WITHIN CITY AND / OR OTHER OPTIONS REGARDING PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS WITHIN MOBILE HOME PARKS
Summary
Residents at one of the City’s mobile home parks were served with a 90 day notice of increased rents, ranging from $197 to $397 a month, which have since been rescinded by the new owner. The rent increases as initially proposed for some senior and low-income renters was approximately 55% more than their current rent. The rent increases if implemented, according to the tenants, would have priced residents out of their rental spaces thereby placing seniors and other low-income residents into lesser living conditions or homelessness. While the park owner has since rescinded the increases, it brought to light the fragile nature of some mobile home park tenants’ ability to retain affordable housing under current state law which allows a rent increase with a 90 day notice.
Recommendation
Request by the Mayor:
1. Discuss rent stability options for mobile home park tenants to include possibility of implementing a rent control ordinance for mobile home parks.
2. Provide direction to City Manager regarding alternative options to preserve affordable housing opportunities within mobile home parks within the City.