From:
To: City Council
Subject: Rent control for mobilehomes
Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 8:39:51 AM
Dear Council members,
I have lived in Fircrest Mobilehome Park since 2005. I am a retired bilingual teacher with more than 40 years of service. I moved here to have affordable housing for my senior years.
I’m writing to urge you to pass new limits on our yearly rent increases. This park rents land to 85 homes and about 100 residents. All the residents here are seniors or disabled; some are fragile. All are homeowners, who must face rising land rents every year.
Most of us are retired and living on fixed incomes. Some of us live on very limited incomes. Over the years the Bay area CPI has often been higher than the Social Security yearly increase, so a resident with only that income can expect to be priced out of living here if s/he lives long enough. Imagine being unable to pay your rent in your 80’s or 90’s?
The park has been poorly maintained for many years, and has passed through their maintenance expenses to the residents. The excellent income they receive has not been used to maintain or repair basic utilities until they were forced to do so by dangerous episodes, such as electrical fires caused by aging infrastructure. At present we have a diligent site manager who has helped get things repaired or replaced… for the first time in many years. Meanwhile the owners enjoy an excellent income with few tenant problems.
Most of us want to live here for our remaining years. Our incomes are limited. Where can we go if we outlive our ability to pay the rent increases? Please help us stay.
Sincerely,
Hilary Moore
Sebastopol