Residents press Fortuna to act on rent stabilization for Royal Crest mobile home park

DOZENS OF RESIDENTS, TENANTS’ ADVOCATES and a statewide manufactured‑homeowners organization urged the Fortuna City Council on Aug. 18 to move quickly on a rent‑stabilization ordinance to protect senior homeowners at Royal Crest Mobile Home Estates.

Residents described rising space rents and maintenance problems and asked the council to schedule a rent‑stabilization discussion at the next meeting or enact a temporary moratorium on rent increases while staff prepare an ordinance. "Please do the right thing and place this issue on your next agenda," said Hillary Mosier, regional manager for the Golden State Manufactured Homeowners League, who asked the council to consider an immediate moratorium on rent increases until local rules are in place.

Multiple residents recounted personal hardships. Deborah Thomas, who identified herself as a Royal Crest resident, said her lot rent rose from about $620 to $822 and that both she and a neighbor are undergoing cancer treatment while relying on savings. "We are really running out of time," she told the council. Other speakers said owners had issued inspection notices that residents described as threatening and that long‑deferred park infrastructure—water lines, gas meters and road repairs—remained in poor condition.

Several speakers accused the park owner or management of misrepresenting ownership and of prioritizing profit over resident welfare. A community member who said he had reviewed county records told the council that filings show ownership links between entities named by park counsel and Heritage Investors Corporation and suggested the council should scrutinize owner claims made in correspondence.

Council staff said they are preparing a staff report and workshop on rent stabilization. City Manager comments at the meeting noted that staff are drafting a report to return to council for a workshop; no ordinance vote or moratorium was enacted on Aug. 18.

Tenant advocates asked the council to follow precedents in other California jurisdictions and to use Humboldt County’s rent‑stabilization language as a draft. The Golden State Manufactured Homeowners League offered an adaptation of the county ordinance and documentation of moratoria in Sonoma County and San Jose as examples. Advocates also requested expedited scheduling, saying residents face imminent rent increases and fear retaliation for speaking publicly.

What happens next: City staff said a rent‑stabilization workshop will be scheduled; residents urged the city to consider a temporary moratorium on rent increases until council action is completed.