Selected news about mobile home park problems from around the country and beyond
Sorted by quarter, updated monthly. If you have documented news, send us a link!
Unfortunately, we believe this list is only scratching the surface and there are many more unreported events or reported events we have not yet heard about. Again, if something important is missing, send us a link!
Also: See NMHOA Facebook page for news aggregation nationwide
And: MHPHOA news, California
The Davids in Appalachia fighting the Monterey Bay Area’s news Goliath
In Mercer County, West Virginia, Valeria Steele is proud of her home in Elk View Estates, a mobile home community she says used to be “such a nice place to live.” But since new owners took control nearly two years ago, “they’ve ruined it. There are trailers with broken windows, uncut grass. We never had that. We’ve had a sewer leak for months, and it’s leaking into a natural water source.”
Who, exactly, took over? After extensive online research, Steele and others figured out it was the founders of Alden Global Capital and its affiliated businesses.
Voice of Monterey Bay
Dec. 27, 2023
Cotati drawn into growing mobile home park battle
With mobile home park owners determined to open up to tenants of all ages, Cotati’s city council followed Petaluma earlier this week. Taking the somewhat extraordinary step of creating a new zoning district, a district wherein mobile home parks may ONLY rent to seniors.
Northern California Public Media
Dec. 15, 2023
City Council Notes: 45-Day Moratorium on the Conversion of Senior Mobilehome Parks to All-Age Parks
The proposed 45-day moratorium would have given staff enough time to look into the issues surrounding Rancho La Paz Mobilehome Park’s notice of conversion from Senior-Only to All-Ages Park.
Fullerton Observer
Dec. 21, 2023
Nick Ubaldi, whose family owns Country Side Mobile Home Park and who works for the company, Harmony Communities, that manages it, spoke up during public comment at a Cotati city council meeting Tuesday with an ominous message about the city’s new regulation protecting park residents.
The Press Democrat
Dec. 18, 2023
Affordable Housing for Seniors is in Jeopardy Again – Can Fullerton Learn from Other Cities?
Affordable housing is an issue coming up more frequently in the last ten years as predatory “investor” groups purchase apartment complexes, homes in residential neighborhoods, and entire mobile home parks, raising rents, evicting those unable to pay the increase, and here in Fullerton attempting to convert Senior-Only mobile home parks to All Age parks – or evicting residents to sell the land for other purposes.
Fullerton Observer
Dec. 18, 2023
Can San Jose’s mobile home park residents rest easy now?
The city’s mobile home park residents say they have lost sleep over their communities potentially being sold to developers. But a small tweak in the law is adding additional protections to prevent that.
SiliconValley.com
Dec. 11, 2023
Fresno City Council Going to Court to Stop Closure of Mobile Home Park
The Fresno City Council voted to seek an injunction against the closure of an embattled north Fresno mobile home park on Thursday.
However, the park’s owner said on Friday afternoon it will shutter La Hacienda Mobile Estates by July 1, 20-24.
GV Wire
Dec. 8, 2023
Mobile home owners schooled on tenants’ rights, new protections
Dozens of owners from Sonoma Valley’s mobile home parks attended a training on tenants’ rights Thursday night at the Center for People Power in Boyes Hot Springs.
The training, organized by the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League and the Sonoma Valley Housing Group, discussed legal aid and new protections for mobile home residents passed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.
The Sonoma Index-Tribune
Dec 5, 2023
Council stops mobile home park from allowing all ages
The council voted to enact a 45-day moratorium preventing any mobile home park from converting from seniors only to all ages. During the moratorium, town officials will look into trying to permanently prevent at least one park, the Gates of Spain, from ever converting to all-ages residency.
High Desert Star
Dec 6, 2023
Sonoma County gives initial approval to lowering cap on rent increases for mobile homes
“Individuals living in mobile homes often are lower-income and have little choice when the landlord raises the rent on their park space,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “While they own their home, they are unable to pick up and move it elsewhere. The amendments to this ordinance are similar to those used by local municipalities and are designed to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Sonoma County Administrator’s Office
Oct. 25, 2023
Between homes and heartaches: The unsettled lives of Rapid City mobile home owners
Residents of Prairie Acres Estates are growing increasingly frustrated, as they point to a myriad of issues that have arisen since the change in ownership. Concerns like the absence of formal lease agreements, a lack of clarity surrounding their responsibilities, a continuous surge in repair demands, unwarranted lease terminations, and the ever-present specter of eviction.
Rapid City Journal
Oct. 14, 2023
Owners of North Fresno Mobile Home Park Want to Close It. What’s Next for Residents?
Less than a year after taking control of a north Fresno mobile home park, owners want to close the site. And Fresno officials will get the first look at a report of what that means for the remaining residents.
GV Wire
Oct. 4, 2023
Thousand Oaks tries long shot, to again ask senior trailer park owners to cut steep rents
The Thousand Oaks City Council Tuesday night directed staff to again ask owners of the city’s five senior mobile home parks if they’re open to lowering steep rent hikes that have their residents reeling.
While conceding it’s a long shot, the council asked staff to query four of the owners who are imposing an 8.5% increase and one levying a 6% step-up.
Staff was also directed to reach out to the owners of the city’s two family mobile home parks who are also imposing 8.5% rent hikes.
All of the owners, however, have already told staff they’re not willing to lower the rents.
VC Star
Sept. 15, 2023
WA mobile home communities organize against ‘economic eviction’
Port Orchard-based Hurst & Son LLC bought dozens of parks in recent years. Now residents say the company is raising rents and cutting services.
In late 2021, Port Orchard-based mobile home management company, Hurst & Son LLC, acquired Leisure Manor in a string of pandemic-era purchases – and since then, its tenants have faced steep rent increases, threatening them with “economic eviction,” along with new alleged problems with upkeep and maintenance that did not exist before.
Crosscut.com
August 30 2023
Mobile Home Park Residents Endure Years of Neglect as State Oversight Falters
Residents of Stockton Park Village, a mobile home park in Stockton, California, have been living in dire conditions for years, grappling with sewage leaks, overflowing trash, and inadequate infrastructure. The park’s issues have brought attention to the challenges faced by mobile home park residents across California and have exposed gaps in the state’s oversight and enforcement of regulations.
State law requires parkwide inspections every 20 years, relying on residents to file complaints. However, a recent state audit revealed that only 45% of parks had been inspected in the past decade, and only half of those inspections were comprehensive. This lax oversight has left many residents living in substandard conditions, and experts believe the number of parks in disrepair could be much higher than officially reported due to their old age and inadequate maintenance.
Newsbreak.com
August 27 2023
Seniors pay largest rent hike in 20 years at Santa Cruz mobile home park
“It’s brutal,” Ortega said. “We’re having to sell because when are the [rent increases] going to stop? Not a lot of seniors make that kind of money,” he said. “People need to understand seniors are on a fixed income and they can only afford so much.”
Santa Cruz Local
August 9 2023
Neighbors express concerns over Cherry Lane Park during Town Board meeting
Closing the trailer home park could be the next step if major progress is not made in renovating the park said Board Member Timothy Steed.
WENY News
June 14th 2023
Southwest Nebraska mobile home owners fighting ‘uphill battle’ to stay put
The Bureau said removing all the privately-owned trailers at the properties is required by policy.
“Private exclusive use of federal property deprives other American citizens of their right to access and enjoy public lands and resources,” said Regional Director Brent Esplin in a news release.
Nebraska Public Media News
June 14th 2023
Southport residents concerned over trailer park conditions
Those who spoke up about the park said they’re concerned for the safety of the residents there and say the property owner, management, and attorneys all live out of town.
“There’s supposed to be management in that office. I haven’t seen one manager in there and that was supposed to be as of June first,” said the same woman who mentioned the lack of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
WENY News
June 14th 2023
Paramount families fear homelessness after new owners raise rent
“I’m scared,” said teenager Alex Sanchez. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to my Mom; she’s scared about the eviction.”
At least 10 families have received a 60-day eviction notices.
“Everybody keeps telling us that their hands are tied; it’s a civil matter, but it’s just not fair,” said Desiree, a tenant who asked us not to tell her full name.
Fox 11 Los Angeles
June 12, 2023, 6:09AM
Under hedge fund ownership, Michigan mobile home parks’ rents spike while maintenance lags
Sudden rent increases. Maintenance jobs ignored. And eviction notices that catch tenants by surprise.
People living in mobile home parks across Michigan say those issues have become commonplace since a secretive hedge fund bought up their parks.
Michigan Radio
June 2, 2023
Mobile home park residents continue to battle GCU over redevelopment after being asked to leave
The vacancy is visible where Alondra Ruiz called home for the last decade. Ruiz and her family were told to move last year but have been fighting to stay ever since.
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
June 9, 2023, 6:09AM
Petaluma’s mobile home reform fight is about a lot more than rent control
The city is the latest in Sonoma County to update its decades-old regulations and the discussion goes beyond costs
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
June 8, 2023, 6:09AM
Under hedge fund ownership, Michigan mobile home parks’ rents spike while maintenance lags
Sudden rent increases. Maintenance jobs ignored. And eviction notices that catch tenants by surprise.
People living in mobile home parks across Michigan say those issues have become commonplace since a secretive hedge fund bought up their parks.
Michigan Radio, The World
June 2, 2023
Residents of Oceanside Mobile Home Park Feel They’re Being Pressured to Move Out
NBC 7’s Shandel Menezes shares why residents are concerned about the land underneath their homes.
7 San Diego
May 31, 2023 6:48 pm
Capitola City Council to consider mobile home rent control ordinance
NBC 7’s Shandel Menezes shares why residenFollowing a public outcry earlier this month from Capitola mobile home park residents condemning a significant rental increase from their property owner, Capitola leaders will consider taking action this week to address the situation.ts are concerned about the land underneath their homes.
Santa Cruz Sentinel
May 23, 2023 at 4:17 p.m.
Petaluma tenants gaining added protections
NBC 7’s Shandel Menezes shares why residents are concerned about the land underneath their homes.
Northern California Public Media
May 17 May 2023
‘It’s hell’: life under the American mobile home king who calls himself a ‘grave dancer’
Billionaire Sam Zell is the largest mobile home landlord in the US, but his tenants say they reckon with disrepair, neglect, flooding and rising rents. Some have had enough
The Guardian.org
Thu 11 May 2023 06.00 EDT
News from a resident living in Fullerton’s Rancho La Paz mobile home park
We have become a “rental park” now as the new owner has bought over 20 homes here and is renting them out. We no longer know our neighbors or who is living here. There are many people walking dogs and riding bikes that clearly are not 55 and older.
This is a tactic by mobile home park investors. Taught by the mobile home investors school that teaches how to buy a park, get rid of the homeowners, and re-develop or profit from these few large segments of land.
Fullerton Observer
April 21, 2023
Manteca will look at mobile home park rent control
“We as a city will be looking into rent control to protect what is Manteca’s last affordable-to-own housing,” Mayor Gary Singh said after the meeting.
Manteca / Ripon Bulletin
Apr 19, 2023
Banning City Council declines its support of state mobile home rent control measure
He also pointed to the closure of seven mobile home parks in Yucaipa after rent control was imposed, since similar adverse results would mean that those struggling to pay rent would end up having no place to live at all.
Record Gazette
March 30, 2023
Santa Rosa mobile home park residents won’t let city forget its unfinished rent control law
“We have a real mess,” mobile home owner and longtime advocate Roger McConnell said during public comment. ”This has gone on and on…We need help. We need to get this done. Please.”
The Press Democrat
March 10, 2023
Phoenix City Council proposes moves to halt displacement of mobile home residents
For many residents and groups advocating for them, the unending saga at La Hacienda Mobile Home park is about whether Harmony Community’s concern was ever about improving health and safety for current residents, or just a ploy to push lower-income tenants out of their homes.
Arizona Republic
March 7, 2023
Morning Report: South Bay Mobile Home Park Dispute Moves to Sacramento
Advocates and local officials consider changes to state law necessary because California treats mobile homes and RVs differently than other types of housing, with separate regulations.
Voice of San Diego
March 2, 2023
Mobile home residents speak against plan for Euclid Beach
Fredericy was among 20 residents who gathered Monday night to fight back against the Euclid Beach Neighborhood Plan that was announced last week.
The plan will transition 28 acres of land currently occupied by residents to expand public access to Euclid Beach.
Fox 8
Feb. 13, 2023
Lot fees jump over 50 percent at Mahomet mobile home park
“This is not the first time people that are living there have had issues.”
WCIA News
Jan 5, 2023, WCIA News, Jessica Kunz
“It’s bad enough”, Dean Ritter said, that his rent has gone up significantly every year since the real estate investment company he calls “this new group” took over the Li’l Wolf Mobile Home Community in North Whitehall Township.
The Morning Call
Oct. 19, 2023
Iowa City mobile home park residents say out-of-state owners boost rent, neglect parks
“It’s our first time being able to own our own place,” he said. “We both have disabilities and a fixed income. If they don’t stop raising lot rents so much, there might be a time in a couple of years when we’re going to lose everything.”
The Gazette
Sept. 27, 2023
Petaluma Mobile Home Residents Organize in Fight Against Park Closure
Affordability has kept many tenants of Littlewoods feeling secure. However, after Brown received a potential closure letter from the park’s owners in July, a month after Petaluma’s city council began discussing whether to adopt rent control, that sense of stability was shaken.
KQED
Sept. 7, 2023
‘Retaliation’: Mobile home tenants say closing park could leave them homeless
Residents of Little Woods Mobile Villa on Lakeville Highway worry they might end up homeless if the management company running their mobile home park makes good on its threat to close it.
That was the message of many park residents as they spoke out against a possible closure during a news conference held Tuesday evening at the park and broadcast over social media.
The news conference – organized by members of Littlewoods Neighbors United, a group of residents that formed in response to the threat of the park closure – was the latest in an ongoing saga of upheaval at mobile home parks throughout the county.
PETALUMA ARGUS-COURIER
August 31, 2023
Messenger: Mobile home owners in Arnold say the city is trying to push them out
That’s what they allege in a federal lawsuit filed earlier this year, saying the city is trying to “regulate Jeffco Estates out of existence.”
At issue are the city’s mobile home district zoning regulations, which have been in place since 1977. Because mobile home parks in the city pre-date the regulations, they are grandfathered into the law as nonconforming. That means they can continue to exist. But if they try to make changes — such as bring in modern mobile homes to replace the older ones — they would trigger the new regulations, which are much more restrictive.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
August 29, 2023
Cloverdale mobile home park residents unite against eviction
Rebecca Clemmer, one of the property’s new owners, said in public Facebook post, residents have had four years to prepare for the property sale; and that they are welcome to return once the property has been cleaned and repaired.
Residents paint a much different picture though. One of uncertain plans from the previous owner, and a lack of communication from the new ones, said Peterson.
“From the beginning, there has been no introductions, no notes in our mailboxes, no phone calls, no knocks on our doors,” Peterson said. “None of us knew who they were. Yet they claim to have tried to reach us.”
Rick MacArthur while fighting back tears, described living at the park for close to 25 years.
The writing is on the wall, he said, and he and the other residents are asking for more time and assistance to move from their homes on Rockwell Road.
Whether or not that happens remains an open question, but for now, Val, another resident, said her focus, and that of others, is on one thing.
“The seemingly impossible, tremendously difficult task of finding a new, affordable, safe place to live,” Val said.
Northern California Public Media
August 29, 2023
The Press Democrat
August 25, 2023
Petaluma sees its first major challenge to new mobile home laws
A Petaluma mobile home park announced rent increases of over 100%. What happens next could shape the recent wave of Sonoma County mobile home protections.
Petaluma’s Argus Courier
The Press Democrat
August 5, 2023
Mobile home park owner threatens closure over new city regs
Last week Petaluma passed a suite of protections for mobile home owners – bringing the city’s rules largely in line with other localities like Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park.
But residents in one mobile home park now find themselves facing down homelessness.
This isn’t the first time residents at Littlewoods Mobile Home Villa in Petaluma have found themselves at odds with park ownership. In 2017 Littlewoods’ owners sought to raise rents on the park’s 78 lots by more than 40% on average, citing their right to a fair return on investment – but ultimately backed off when faced with a court battle.
The residents received three options as part of a compensation deal. The property owner and city officials say the deal is fair — but many residents have balked at it.
Northern California Public Media
July 19, 2023
Carson mobile park residents fear looming closure of property
Robertson is among approximately 130 remaining Imperial Avalon residents who have until Nov. 1 to vacate the property to make way for a new mixed-use development that will bring more than 1,100 units to the city.
The residents received three options as part of a compensation deal. The property owner and city officials say the deal is fair — but many residents have balked at it.
Daily Breeze
July 17, 2023
Rents soared 151%. Under California’s new law, tenants are getting a refund
Under the terms of a settlement filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Green Valley, which also does business under the name Swenson Builders, will be forced to pay $391,130. Of that, $331,130 will be refunded to tenants in overpaid back-rent.
Cal Matters
Jun. 15, 2023
Madison County residents demand answers about rent increases, monthly charges
MADISON COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Frustration is growing among residents at Quail Hollow Mobile Home Park, as they say they’re seeing rent increases and unexplained charges on their monthly statements.
“For her to increase the rent, 4 or 500 dollars, that’s very frustrating,” said resident Dana Davis. “Not only that, it’s a hardship on us.” Davis said many people in the community are on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay the increase
WCTV.tv
Jun. 14, 2023
Petaluma Mobile Home Owners Concerned Over Rents
Petaluma mobile home owners voiced concerns about landlords raising rents making it unaffordable for those on fixed incomes. Park owners voiced concerns about lower rents making it harder for them to operate.
KRSO Sonoma
June 9, 2023
Buena Park Renters to Get Greater Eviction Protections
Buena Park renters will soon get greater eviction protections than provided by current state law as calls for greater tenant safeguards grow louder throughout the city.
Voice of OC
June 7, 2023
Dick Spotswood: Eviction threats at RV Park of San Rafael continue
The travails for residents in the RV Park of San Rafael continue.
The park’s owner, Harmony Communities of Stockton, was subject to an action brought by San Rafael to enforce the Mission City’s mobile home rent control ordinance. That action was recently settled.
Marin Independent Journal
June 3, 2023 at 10:50 a.m. | UPDATED: June 3, 2023 at 9:37 p.m.
Bradenton Beach official gives insight on Pines Trailer Park future
The homeowners received notice May 8 from the partnership of an offer from an undisclosed entity to purchase the park land.
Little is known about the intentions of any purchaser toward the park land as any negotiations are taking place under a nondisclosure agreement.
The Anna Maria Islander
June 2023
Capitola leaders approve mobile home rent stabilization ordinance
CAPITOLA — The Capitola City Council voted unanimously Thursday to add mobile home rent stabilization measures to its municipal code just days before a steep increase in rental prices for residents of Cabrillo Mobile Home Estates Park were set to roll out.
May 26, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.
By PK Hattis | [email protected] | Santa Cruz Sentinel
Low-income tenants lack options as old mobile home parks are razed
The razing of older mobile home parks across the United States worries advocates who say bulldozing them permanently eliminates some of the already limited housing for the poorest of the poor. Residents may have to double up with relatives or live in their cars amid spiking evictions and homelessness, they warn.
AP
May 21, 2023
The vulture fund that picked American newspapers apart has a new target
Alden has become infamous for swallowing local newspaper chains and extracting their real estate and cash. Cofounders Randall Smith and Heath Freeman and their colleagues have been investing more than $150 million in mobile-home parks around the county since 2021, financing them through an entity called Tribune II MHP Finance One LLC.
Columbia Journalism Review
May 9, 2023
The battle to keep Colorado’s mobile home parks in local hands
Recent law changes have allowed more residents to purchase their parks
Greely Tribune
May 28, 2023
OC Activists Went to Sacramento to Push for Rent Control; Cops Were Called Instead
But instead of direct conversation with Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine), a handful who went to lobby his office on Monday were met by one of his staffers.
And later, Capitol police.
Voice of OC
April 26, 2023
Fresno Mobile Home Residents Fight Back by Filing Lawsuit
Several residents of La Hacienda Mobile Home Estates are fighting potential evictions, filing a lawsuit to prevent the landlord from kicking them out.
GW Wire
April 20, 2023, 2023
Mobile home park residents form co-ops to save their homes
Several residents of La Hacienda Mobile Home Estates are fighting potential evictions, filing a lawsuit to prevent the landlord from kicking them out.
Eldorado News-Times
April 16, 2023
Rent Control Could Come to Buena Park
While they all expressed support for rent control, council members said they need to see specific examples and data.
Voice of OC
April 3, 2023
Laguna Vista Mobile Estates residents to receive rent increase
A senior herself, Walshaw says many seniors lack alternative living options, and despite paying for utilities and property taxes, they can be forced out of their manufactured homes by high rents. Additionally, she says park owners often keep residents in the dark regarding their overall plans, with many mobile home parks along the California coast being bought up by private equity investors with the intention of skyrocketing rents.
“Anytime they can increase their profits, then that makes (the parks) more valuable to other investors if they want to flip the park and sell it for more money,” Walshaw said.
North Coast Current
March 29, 2023
Fear grips residents of ‘Trails End’: No one knows if and when their own eviction notice will come
For many residents and groups advocating for them, the unending saga at La Hacienda Mobile Home park is about whether Harmony Community’s concern was ever about improving health and safety for current residents, or just a ploy to push lower-income tenants out of their homes.
Fresnoland
March 9, 2023
Shady Lakes highlights challenges for mobile home park residents
Almost four years after suing a Stockton-based investment company, residents of a Fresno County mobile home park have experienced a near-100% increase in rent.
The Business Journal
Jan 24, 2023
As legislative session starts, mobile home rent protections remain up in air
“People just leave their keys and walk out the door,” Krapfl said. “They’re done fighting.”
The Telegraph Herald
BY JOSHUA IRVINE [email protected]
Jan 7, 2023 Updated Jan 8, 2023
