California seniors on fixed incomes say mobile home park sale drove rent from $825 to $1,600

Following the sale of Crestview Hills Mobile Home Park in Fallbrook, California, some senior residents were told to prepare for a second rent hike.

Rita Burn, who moved into the park when she retired in 2017, said her monthly rent has risen considerably and could increase again.

Here's what to know

According to ABC 10News, residents say they received notice of the latest increase after Crestview Hills was sold. They were told the added cost is tied to a property-tax reassessment under the park's new ownership.

Tenants were told in a letter: "The recent sale of Crestview Hills will result in a substantial and near-term property tax reassessment, including supplemental property taxes payable by the new owner. And higher ongoing annual property taxes."

Several people in the park are seniors living on fixed incomes. Burn said that before the newly announced increase, her rent had already gone from $825 a month when she moved in in 2017 to $1,600 a month.

More background

Mobile home parks are often viewed as one of the more affordable housing options in California, but that affordability can become fragile when the land beneath the homes is sold, and lot rents rise.

Many retirees are among those affected at Crestview Hills, and Burn said another jump in monthly costs could determine whether residents can remain in the community.

The station reported that phone calls and emails to Cabrillo Management Corporation asking about the increases did not produce a response.

What's being done?

ABC 10News reported that Cabrillo Management Corporation informed tenants about a subsidized rent program. Residents are starting to organize in response. Burn said she and other neighbors planned to meet to talk through next steps, including outreach to elected officials and possible legal support.

"As a group, I think we wanna come up with a plan. Quite a few of us have written to our congressmen and officials to see if they can help in any way. We're hoping to get some legal advice," Burn said.

For people trying to work with landlords or community associations to change established rules, it may also help to check out the TCD Guide's page on how to change HOA bylaws, especially when residents are pushing for policies that better support affordability.

For Burn, receiving the letter was jarring. "I couldn't believe it. I mean, I had heard rumors. That it was gonna happen and then we got the letter," Burn said.

Where can I learn more?

Here are a few stories about how mobile home residents elsewhere have responded when park sales, ownership changes, or redevelopment threatened affordable living. They cover rent spikes after park purchases, resident efforts to buy their communities, and examples of cooperative ownership helping keep costs more stable.

• In Wisconsin, manufactured home rents soar after private equity firms buy parks.

• In Colorado, residents launched a donation drive to buy their $42.5 million community.

• Across rural America, resident-owned mobile home communities are helping curb displacement.

• A trailer park became a net-zero energy affordable housing neighborhood with lasting benefits.

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