Pregnant and parenting teens facing homelessness could get a home with around-the-clock support in Riverside, while mobile home residents could gain new protections against rent increases when they inherit a home and clearer rules for added fees.
The Housing and Homelessness Committee on Monday, Sept. 28, advanced both proposals to the City Council. Committee Chair Luis Hernandez and Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes supported both actions, with Vice Chair Sean Mill absent.
A home for pregnant and parenting teens
The committee conceptually approved a request from Leap for Joy Foundation for $1.283 million in state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant funding to purchase and renovate a house at 775 Huston St. in Ward 2.
The proposed program, Amari's Place, would combine housing with treatment, health care connections, education, parenting support and help finding longer-term housing for pregnant and parenting teens experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
"It gives the pregnant youth a place to heal, to prepare for parenthood and build a stronger future for themselves and their children," said Shené Bowie-Hussey, founder and CEO of Leap for Joy Foundation.
The nonprofit, established in 2022, proposes operating the home as a short-term residential therapeutic program. These state-licensed programs provide intensive treatment and support for foster youth with significant mental health and therapeutic needs, with the goal of helping them transition to family-based or other appropriate placements, according to the staff report.
Amari's Place would provide 24-hour supervision, connect participants with prenatal and postpartum care, and support high school completion, vocational training and employment preparation. Parenting and life skills instruction would cover infant care, budgeting, nutrition and healthy relationships.
The proposed budget includes $795,000 to purchase the property, $293,000 for renovations and $150,000 for staff salaries, with the balance covering educational resources, supplies, equipment and licensing.
The funding award would place a 20-year covenant on the property restricting its use under the grant requirements. City residents would receive first priority for available services.
The foundation anticipates sustaining the program through a direct contract with the California Department of Social Services and coordinating transitions with Olive Crest and other Inland Empire housing providers.
At a Sept. 10 meeting attended by 14 University Neighborhood residents, neighbors raised questions about safety, supervision, neighborhood stability and bilingual services, according to the staff report. Residents also expressed encouragement for what they saw as a needed resource for youth in the child welfare system.
In response to community feedback, the foundation committed to English and Spanish services, continued neighborhood engagement, monthly neighborhood association meetings and an open house after renovations.
Cervantes said the city has a role in supporting vulnerable young people before their circumstances worsen.
"I do think it's incumbent on us as local government to step up when we can to help provide that support to those in need," Cervantes said.
Hernandez praised the combination of services and plans to measure participants' progress, including educational attainment.
"This program is so well rounded … this is focused on prevention," he said.
Revisiting mobile home rent protections
The committee also recommended moving forward with changes to the city's mobile home rent stabilization ordinance, focusing on rent increases when a home changes hands and the distinction between capital improvements and routine maintenance. Committee members aim to bring the changes to the council in November.
For residents who own their mobile homes but rent the land underneath them, the changes could affect both what happens to their space rent when a family member inherits the home and which park expenses appear as additional charges on their bills.
Under the current ordinance, a sale or inheritance can allow a park owner to treat the transfer as a new lease and raise the space rent to market rate, Housing Authority project manager Agripina Neubauer told the committee.
The city adopted its rent stabilization ordinance in 1992. Amendments approved in March 2025 established a 2% floor and 4% cap for automatic annual increases tied to inflation, along with other changes. The transfer and fee provisions were left for further discussion.
Cervantes favored protecting immediate family members, existing residents and identified beneficiaries from transfer-related increases. Hernandez supported preserving the previous rent when a family member inherits the home and takes over the lease, while allowing a limited increase for other transfers.
The committee also called for clearer definitions of capital improvements and maintenance, using language discussed from Corona's ordinance as a reference.
"A lot of these seem like maintenance and not capital improvements," Hernandez said while reviewing examples of charges on residents' bills.
Park representatives opposed additional restrictions, arguing that annual rent limits already constrain revenue while insurance, materials, labor and tax costs continue to rise.
"This is for the long-term sustainability of these communities and it still offers protections," said Greg O'Hagan, who spoke on behalf of Villa Magnolia Mobile Home Park's ownership and management.
Resident advocate Barry Dawes proposed a temporary working group bringing residents, park owners and city staff together.
"We're simply asking for a seat at the table and a fair process," Dawes said.
Julie Polley, representing the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, offered to help arrange meetings with owners, although the association opposed the proposed changes.
Both committee members supported continued dialogue, though the exact ordinance language and council meeting date are still to come.
