Mobile-home residents urge moratorium as board advances rent-stabilization work

Dozens of speakers at the May 19 Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting urged immediate protection for mobile and manufactured-home residents, describing repeated owner-imposed fee and rent increases that they say have made long-term ownership unaffordable.

Residents from Sterling Shores and other parks described a string of increases — listing multiple single-year pass-throughs and a recent notice of a $450 maintenance pass-through — and warned that families and seniors living on fixed incomes could be forced from their homes. David Barry of the Golden State Manufactured Homeowners League and residents pressed the board to adopt a temporary moratorium on rent or fee increases while the county finalizes a rent-stabilization ordinance. "Make a motion to enact a temporary rent increase moratorium retroactive to January," Barry said during public comment.

The board acknowledged the depth of concern and noted work already under way on a county RSO, but did not make immediate changes to county policy during the meeting. Supervisors and staff repeatedly pointed to legal and procedural constraints that shape any temporary moratorium and the need to balance enforcement and property-rights questions. The public record at the hearing shows repeated references to operators adding pass-through charges for water, administrative fees and maintenance, which residents said were being counted against buyers' incomes and making resale or rental approvals difficult.

Why it matters: Hundreds of manufactured-homeowners live in park settings where they own a home but rent the lot beneath it. Local efforts to stabilize rents have statewide precedent and can be time-sensitive for residents who face steep increases before ordinances take effect.

What’s next: Residents asked the board to consider a temporary moratorium, retroactive relief, and stronger enforcement. The board heard the testimony and left the matter on the agenda for further action as staff continue RSO work.

Speakers quoted (abridged and attributed to transcript labels): "The most powerful tool that any county or municipality has to counter this is a robust rent control ordinance," David Barry said. "Make a motion to enact a temporary rent increase moratorium retroactive to January while you finalize your RSO." Maya Lynn of Sterling Shores described repeated pass-throughs and asked supervisors to "pass a moratorium" to protect residents.

Ending: The board did not adopt an immediate countywide moratorium at the May 19 meeting. Residents and advocates can expect the item to remain active as supervisors and staff refine options and legal pathways.