Post by crudo on Mar 22, 2006 12:11:06 GMT -5
Mobile home residents ask county for rent control
By TIM MORAN
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: March 22, 2006, 05:58:33 AM PST
Hundreds of senior citizens, disabled people and low-income residents face eviction and homelessness because of dramatic increases in mobile home park rents, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors was told Tuesday night.
Residents from county mobile home parks, who pay anywhere from roughly $450 to $900 in rent, described increases of up to $250 a month over the past two years.
"More than 200 seniors are going to lose their homes, including me. Many don't know where to go," said Jan Busby of Modesto.
Some are forced to walk away from their investments because they can't pay the rent while waiting for their home to sell, said Susan Turner of Morningside Mobile Home Park.
Homeowners are trapped in a situation where higher rents make their homes unsalable, and the cost of moving them -- at least $3,000 -- is unaffordable.
When they walk away, mobile park owners raze the homes and put up more-expensive modular homes with higher rents, the residents said.
Randy Lundgren, a resident of Quail Meadows in Riverbank, said his rent rose $100, to $680 a month, this year.
"That may not sound like much, but for those of us on fixed incomes, it can mean the difference between having a roof over your head or being homeless," said Lundgren, who, along with his wife, lives on disability payments.
Rent increases averaged more than 18 percent in Stanislaus County mobile home parks this year, said Donna Maddern of Riverbank.
"You might say they are doing nothing illegal," she said, "but you have the power to make it illegal."
Turner urged supervisors to pass a rent stabilization ordinance. She said it's similar to ones passed by 100 cities and counties statewide.
The parks provide the opportunity for lowincome people to own their home and live in a safe environment, Turner said.
The ordinance would allow park owners to raise rent based on the consumer price index, providing them a fair rate of return, she said.
Owners reportedly fear rent control
Paradoxically, many said that mobile home park owners say they are raising rents because they fear a rent control ordinance.
Equity LifeStyles Properties, which owns parks in Ceres, Riverbank and Modesto, has been singled out as a problem landlord, but the rising rents are happening countywide, the residents said.
County CEO Rick Robinson said the speakers made valid points, but added the county only has jurisdiction over parks in unincorporated areas.
Board Chairman Ray Simon said the board would take the matter under consideration.
In other action, the Board of Supervisors:
Approved the final construction phases of the 12th Street Office Building, at a cost of $615,190. The $22.67 million building includes public and private uses.
The final phases approved address several concerns raised by the union representing deputy district attorneys, county officials said.
Each of the attorneys will get a private office, and a break room for the district attorney's office has been added, according to Supervisor Jim DeMartini. "I'm satisfied this is fair," he said.
Approved a contract for master planning and environmental reports on the former Crows Landing Naval Air Station, at a cost of up to $499,740. The air station, acquired by the county from the Navy, is to be developed as a business park. "This is a giant step toward our ability to use the airport," Simon said.
Approved a lease with the United Samaritans Foundation to expand the Community Service Agency services in Turlock. The Community Services Agency handles welfare payments and other social programs in the county.
Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at 578-2349 or tmoran@modbee.com.
By TIM MORAN
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: March 22, 2006, 05:58:33 AM PST
Hundreds of senior citizens, disabled people and low-income residents face eviction and homelessness because of dramatic increases in mobile home park rents, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors was told Tuesday night.
Residents from county mobile home parks, who pay anywhere from roughly $450 to $900 in rent, described increases of up to $250 a month over the past two years.
"More than 200 seniors are going to lose their homes, including me. Many don't know where to go," said Jan Busby of Modesto.
Some are forced to walk away from their investments because they can't pay the rent while waiting for their home to sell, said Susan Turner of Morningside Mobile Home Park.
Homeowners are trapped in a situation where higher rents make their homes unsalable, and the cost of moving them -- at least $3,000 -- is unaffordable.
When they walk away, mobile park owners raze the homes and put up more-expensive modular homes with higher rents, the residents said.
Randy Lundgren, a resident of Quail Meadows in Riverbank, said his rent rose $100, to $680 a month, this year.
"That may not sound like much, but for those of us on fixed incomes, it can mean the difference between having a roof over your head or being homeless," said Lundgren, who, along with his wife, lives on disability payments.
Rent increases averaged more than 18 percent in Stanislaus County mobile home parks this year, said Donna Maddern of Riverbank.
"You might say they are doing nothing illegal," she said, "but you have the power to make it illegal."
Turner urged supervisors to pass a rent stabilization ordinance. She said it's similar to ones passed by 100 cities and counties statewide.
The parks provide the opportunity for lowincome people to own their home and live in a safe environment, Turner said.
The ordinance would allow park owners to raise rent based on the consumer price index, providing them a fair rate of return, she said.
Owners reportedly fear rent control
Paradoxically, many said that mobile home park owners say they are raising rents because they fear a rent control ordinance.
Equity LifeStyles Properties, which owns parks in Ceres, Riverbank and Modesto, has been singled out as a problem landlord, but the rising rents are happening countywide, the residents said.
County CEO Rick Robinson said the speakers made valid points, but added the county only has jurisdiction over parks in unincorporated areas.
Board Chairman Ray Simon said the board would take the matter under consideration.
In other action, the Board of Supervisors:
Approved the final construction phases of the 12th Street Office Building, at a cost of $615,190. The $22.67 million building includes public and private uses.
The final phases approved address several concerns raised by the union representing deputy district attorneys, county officials said.
Each of the attorneys will get a private office, and a break room for the district attorney's office has been added, according to Supervisor Jim DeMartini. "I'm satisfied this is fair," he said.
Approved a contract for master planning and environmental reports on the former Crows Landing Naval Air Station, at a cost of up to $499,740. The air station, acquired by the county from the Navy, is to be developed as a business park. "This is a giant step toward our ability to use the airport," Simon said.
Approved a lease with the United Samaritans Foundation to expand the Community Service Agency services in Turlock. The Community Services Agency handles welfare payments and other social programs in the county.
Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at 578-2349 or tmoran@modbee.com.