Most of the 758 residents of the eight communities in Vista, which is just north of San Diego, are seniors on fixed incomes, and 200 of them attended a recent city council meeting asking the city to take their side. MHProNews understands residents participate in the talks but only the city and the MHC owners sign the accord.
MHC resident Steve Harvey says the residents have offered to split the infrastructure costs 50/50 but the MHC owners ejected that plan. Julie Paule, with the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, said, “We are committed to finding common ground with the residents that both parties can live with, that keeps the parks sustainable, and the communities remain affordable housing for the residents.”
An additional point of contention is how much rent should increase when a manufactured home is sold. Under the current accord, it does not increase; a proposal would see it increase $125 over three years, but residents are concerned a large rise would devalue their homes.
Twenty years ago during a bitter fight the city threatened a rent control ordinance if an accord was not reached. This year, the city is acting as a facilitator in hopes of attaining harmony on both sides.
City Councilwoman Amanda Rigby said the issue is “a very tight balancing act between the rights of the residents and the rights of the park owners, which makes it a very difficult situation. If we could get everybody in the same room at the same time, maybe we could come up with something.” ##
(Photo credit: nbcsandiego–manufactured homes in California)
