Residents of mobile home parks in Gaston County voiced serious concerns during a recent government meeting, highlighting issues related to rising rents, inadequate living conditions, and predatory towing practices. Community members from various neighborhoods, including Hickory Village and Hillside Village, described their struggles with unsafe water quality, raw sewage problems, and exorbitant towing fees imposed by a contractor allegedly linked to their park management.

One resident, Ashlyn Holland, shared her experience of having her vehicle towed without prior notice, leading to significant financial burdens for her family. She emphasized the lack of communication from the towing company and the management, which has reportedly increased rents by 50% since new ownership took over two years ago. Residents expressed frustration over the management's failure to address basic maintenance issues, such as sewage and water quality, which they claim have made their living conditions unbearable.

Raquel Vargas, representing many Spanish-speaking residents, echoed these sentiments, stating that the community feels threatened by the towing practices and management's lack of responsiveness. She called for justice and a rational solution to the parking and towing issues, which disproportionately affect families with multiple vehicles.

In response to these concerns, city officials acknowledged the challenges faced by residents and encouraged them to contact state legislators regarding a bipartisan bill aimed at regulating predatory towing practices. The city manager also discussed the complexities of the city budget, which includes provisions for infrastructure improvements and public services, but did not directly address the residents' immediate concerns.

The meeting underscored the ongoing struggles of mobile home park residents in Gaston County, as they seek better living conditions and fair treatment from property management and local authorities.