The City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee, which includes Councilmembers Cervantes, Mill, and Robillard, met Monday to discuss proposed amendments to the City’s Mobile Home Parks Rent Stabilization Ordinance, igniting a debate between park owners and residents over rent control protections.
The proposed changes include capping annual rent increases, new tenant notification requirements, and restrictions on rent hikes during property transfers.
Michelle Davis, Housing and Human Services Director, presented the proposed amendments, which stem from a review of similar ordinances in 91 cities and ten counties.
“Starting in 2026, and on or after January 1 of each year, the annual rent may be increased by an amount that does not exceed 80% of the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period ending July 31 of the prior year, provided that the annual automatic increase shall not exceed 3% of the base rent charge prior to the increase,” Davis explained.
The proposal sparked heated debate among committee members and public speakers.
Councilmember Sean Mill expressed concern about the 3% cap, arguing it could work against residents in years when inflation is lower.
“If you put a 3% base every year, it’s 3%. They’re going to raise it 3% every year, even if it only should have been 1.7%,” Mill said.
He proposed a floor of 2% and a ceiling of 5% for annual rent increases.
Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes pushed back, advocating for the 3% cap to protect seniors on fixed incomes.
“At the end of the day, the property owners, they are always going to be in a much better position than the individuals who are renting from them,” Cervantes said.
Several residents spoke about their struggles with rising rents and additional fees. Steve Rosenbauer, a Villa Magnolia resident since 2012, said his space rent has nearly doubled.
“When I turned 55, I moved there because I figured I was going to end up retiring there,” Rosenbauer said. “My space rent then was $550 a month. As the years went by, I bought another one in space 232. That one is now $1,089 and change a month, plus the gas, the water, the trash, and the other things that they have there that they want to charge me for.”
Park owners and industry representatives argued for flexibility in the ordinance. Julie Polly with the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association said, “It’s the park owners’ hope that we can all go to the city council together in support of the amendment process and the product that comes from it.”
The proposed amendments also include:
- New tenant notification requirements.
- Annual registration for park owners.
- Restrictions on rent increases during property transfers between family members.
Councilmember Steven Robillard raised concerns about potential unintended consequences.
“If we cap the rents, what we’re going to do is great for current owners, as it’s going to increase the value of the manufactured homes in those parks because the monthly rent is capped. But what that does for future owners is it makes those manufactured homes a whole lot more expensive to buy,” Robillard said.
The committee did not reach a consensus on all proposed changes. They voted to forward the amendments to the full City Council for further discussion, likely in November.
Cervantes emphasized the importance of protecting seniors and preventing homelessness.
“We can’t afford to have, and we can’t afford to lose these individuals and have them become unhoused, or we are going to have a further epidemic and crisis on our hands,” she said.
