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Mobile-home residents urge council to strengthen rent-stabilization draft, list five specific changes
Summary
Residents of Blue Haven Mobile Home Park and other mobile-home communities told the council the current draft rent-stabilization ordinance leaves residents vulnerable; speakers requested five concrete changes including lowering the vacancy-increase allowance, removing debt-service from allowable increases, extending hearing notices, reserving board seats for residents and capping increases at CPI or 5%.
Several residents of Blue Haven Mobile Home Park and other mobile-home communities used the public-comment period to press the City Council to strengthen the draft rent-stabilization ordinance.
Sarah Giles Gardner, speaking for the Blue Haven resident committee, requested five specific changes: reduce the 15% vacancy increase allowance; remove debt service and acquisition interest from what landlords can pass through to residents; extend rent-increase hearing notices from 14 to 45 days with certified mail; reserve at least two seats on a rent-stabilization board for mobile-home residents; and cap annual increases at CPI or 5%, whichever is lower, removing an additional "+1%" clause. "We are here to collaborate," Gardner said, asking the council to ensure the ordinance protects both residents and legitimate business interests.
Other speakers, including Barb Thomas and Kathy Dobbins (both Blue Haven residents and organizers), described mediation, a cooperative formation, a potential sale that created uncertainty and the real-life harms of unstable lot rents. Thomas said residents have gone through months of mediation and need "strong, enforceable, and future protections." Dobbins warned that out-of-state corporate ownership of parks elsewhere led to sharp rent increases and declined maintenance.
Resident Zachary Ashley and Richard Gosselin gave examples of household-level impacts: Ashley said his street faces the prospect of roughly $1,000 in increased annual taxes if mill rates do not change alongside assessments; Gosselin said lot rents in his park could rise from $515 to $660 by the end of 2027 and noted many residents rely on Social Security.
Speakers asked councilors to engage residents directly in drafting final language and to move the ordinance forward with the requested safeguards. Councilors and staff acknowledged the comments and said the ordinance process will continue with future meetings and opportunities for resident input.
