Camarillo council appoints ad hoc panel to study mobile‑home rent increases after residents’ testimony

The Camarillo City Council on May 14 voted unanimously to form an ad hoc committee to study rising mobile‑home lot rents after more than a dozen residents from local parks described years of annual increases and financial strain.

Residents pressed the council during the meeting’s public‑comment period for a rent‑stabilization ordinance. Julie Moore, who said she has lived in the Lamplighter Camarillo mobile‑home park for more than a decade, told the council, “My rent has doubled in the past 10 years.” Other speakers cited repeated yearly increases of 5%–6%, limited options to move mobile homes and the risk that seniors and disabled residents could be forced to leave.

The council created an ad hoc committee made up of Council member Susan Santangelo and Council member Martinez Bravo. Council member Martinez Bravo moved to place the item on the agenda and the council adopted the appointment by roll call; all five members voted yes. Vice Mayor Tennyson told residents, “We heard you. We hear you again tonight, and the ad hoc committee will look into this and maybe give you more than 3 minutes.”

Why this matters: Mobile‑home owners rent the land under their homes; moving a manufactured home is costly and often impractical, so lot‑rent increases can threaten household stability and the resale value of homes. At the meeting, speakers cited a county‑level survey and the California Mobilehome Residency Law in arguing for local protections.

What residents said: Diana Bradley, who spoke about legal precedent and protections for mobile‑home owners, told the council that state law recognizes the high cost of moving a home and warrants special protection. Multiple speakers described households on fixed incomes and urged the city to act. Several people said park owners affiliated with larger corporate owners were raising lot rents quickly. Yisette Marroquin asked, “Who regulates these companies? We need help from you guys.”

What the council directed: City staff told the council they had already met with roughly 80 residents about park concerns. Council members said they would use the ad hoc committee as the formal vehicle to gather information, meet with residents and staff, and develop options for council consideration. Council members emphasized Brown Act limitations on private meetings and encouraged residents to provide written correspondence and to attend committee meetings once scheduled.

Procedural outcome: The council’s vote to form the ad hoc committee and appoint Council member Santangelo and Council member Martinez Bravo passed unanimously. Council members and staff also committed to follow up with residents who had submitted correspondence and claims about property damage or habitability.

What’s next: The ad hoc committee will convene and schedule meetings with residents and staff. Council members asked staff to track prior correspondence and to report back to the full council as the committee develops recommendations.