Paramount residents press council for rent controls as ad hoc committee schedules meeting

Paramount residents from multiple mobile home parks told the City Council on Jan. 14, 2025, that recent lot-rent increases are unaffordable and asked the council to pursue rent-control protections or other stabilizing agreements.

Speakers described year-over-year rent hikes they said ranged from several percent to single-digit double-digit increases and urged immediate action. City staff said a council ad hoc committee has been meeting with park residents and owners and scheduled a follow-up meeting for Jan. 30 to work toward a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to stabilize rents.

The remarks came during the public-comment portion of the Paramount City Council meeting, when multiple residents from mobile home parks including Rio Puente, Cinderella, Cherry Village and others described hardship and fear of displacement. “They raised the possibility of having a more flexible approach to development standards,” a staff update noted from the prior meeting, and staff said it would return with an oral report on related items. Several residents testified about specific increases and needs: Carolina Rios said she has lived at Rio Puente for about 21 years and asked the council to “take into consideration charging something that is more reasonable.” Ophelia Orozco said her rent was raised to 8 percent and called that “just too high.”

Advocates and organizers joined residents in urging faster action. Brooke Irvin, representing MH Action, said the organization has documented “retaliation, abusive practices and a complete lack of oversight for those living in mobile home parks,” and asked the city to ensure owners provide clear information about assistance programs. MH Action and staff have connected residents to the Fair Housing Foundation for tenant-rights guidance, the city said.

City staff summarized recent outreach: the ad hoc committee has met with residents and with ownership, and another committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30 at Progress Plaza. Staff also told residents that many mobile home parks reported having financial-assistance programs and encouraged tenants to inquire with management, while the city said it will continue to facilitate connections to outside assistance and mediation.

The council did not take a formal vote on rent-control legislation at the Jan. 14 meeting. Council and staff comments focused on listening to residents, coordinating the January 30 session and pursuing an MOU that officials described as intended to balance owners’ and residents’ interests.

For now, residents and advocates say urgency is high: several speakers reported recent three-day eviction notices and requested interim steps so tenants are not forced from their homes while a longer-term process unfolds. Staff reiterated that the Jan. 30 ad hoc meeting will be used to discuss an MOU and next steps and invited residents to coordinate through MH Action for meeting details.

The council’s next regular meeting is Jan. 28; staff said the ad hoc meeting on Jan. 30 will be the immediate venue for further negotiation.