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GUESTS: Glenn Bell, Neighborhood Friends, Samii Taylor, Legislative Advocate with the Windsor Group

Rising rents in Southern California are so high these days that even living in a mobile home has become unaffordable. Rising rents are particularly problematic for the nearly three quarters of mobile home residents who are senior citizens. Mobile home park owners in particular have increased rent by converting parks from seniors-only to all-ages. Now, two bills in the California State Senate and Assembly may give local governments the authority to regulate conversions of mobile home parks initiated by owners. Senate Bill 900 was approved last Tuesday by the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee and Assembly Bill 1542 was approved yesterday by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee. Supporters of both bills say that the current law gives park owners an unfair advantage. Park owners can exploit a loop hole that allows them exemption from rent controls after a single lot is sold to a resident. In Torrance, residents of the Knolls Lodge mobile home park were angered by rent hikes that followed the transition of the once seniors-only park to all-ages. Tenants, who pay more than $1,055 per month plus mortgage, have also accused the park’s owner, Kort & Scott Financial Group, of neglecting the site. Abe Arigotti, President of Sierra Corporate Management, which oversees Kort & Scott’s property, claims that soaring rents are in accordance with and are driven by market forces.

For more information, visit www.neighborhoodfriends.us, or call 818-890-1113. Or call the Windsor Group at 909-241-6089.