Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Affordability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge council to adopt 180‑day freeze on rent and fees at mobile home parks; council advances moratorium to second reading
Summary
After council voted first reading on a 180‑day moratorium prohibiting rent and fee increases at mobile home parks, multiple residents from Jay Lynn and Washington Park mobile home parks told the council about large rent hikes, safety and maintenance issues, and submitted petitions; council members expressed support for the moratorium while noting reservations about long‑term regulation.
The Auburn City Council advanced on first reading Ordinance 041202026, a proposed 180‑day moratorium that would prohibit rent and fee increases at mobile home parks while the council studies potential longer‑term regulation.
Several council members said they would support the six‑month moratorium while expressing personal reservations about permanent rent controls. Councilor Platt said he is uncomfortable with broad rent restrictions generally but supported the moratorium because of the particular vulnerabilities of mobile home residents. Councilor Walker and others expressed similar qualified support.
After the council’s discussion the meeting was opened for public comment on the item. Multiple residents from local mobile home parks addressed the council with consistent themes: sudden large rent increases, poor park maintenance, safety hazards on unmaintained roads, interrupted utilities, and the difficulty elderly residents face in relocating. Examples and claims in public comment included:
- Juliet Senma (64 Washington Street Trail Park) said her park’s owner raised rent by $110 this cycle after prior inconsistent charges and said many trailers are in disrepair; she urged council to act to prevent residents being displaced. "I have a list of names of people that agree with us that the rent's too high," she said.
- Sharon Dickinson said her rent rose from $475 to $600 in 2025 and that she owns her mobile home but cannot absorb such increases.
- Julie Frankor, a long‑term resident at Jay Lynn, described ongoing infrastructure problems (dark roads, sewer odors, lost hot water, snow‑plowing and sanding shortfalls) and said the park’s maintenance and management had been inadequate.
One resident (identified in the record as Franklair) presented a petition and signatures from park residents; the clerk agreed to circulate copies to council. Residents called for representation and accountability from park owners and urged council workshops and follow‑up.
Because this was first reading, the moratorium would take effect only if adopted at second reading; staff advised residents to watch upcoming agendas and work sessions for further proceedings. Council took the first reading on Jan. 20; the item will return for additional hearings and a second reading where a final adoption vote could take effect.
