April 24, 2023 - Huntington Beach Mobile Home Advisory Board meeting
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. with all Board members, City Staff, Grace Yoon-Taylor, and Council liaisons present. There were about 20 members of the public present from various MHPs including Skandia, Del Mar Estates, Huntington by the Sea and Rancho Huntington. Kathy Carrick was sworn as the newest member at large.
The public comments ranged in topic from the need for Zoom to return as an alternative to attending in person, so our members can participate in the meeting, the need for the Market Rate Study, a question about a Board member not residing in HB as required for all other Boards and a request for an apology for a Board member’s remarks at the last meeting.
After a bit of wrangling, a new Ad-Hoc Committee was formed (Miller, Chase, Talley) to search for and implement ways to help MH resident owners other than rent. It will be very exciting to see what ideas come that are fresh and new.
Megan Kerkorian, CaliROC, presented on Resident Owned Communities in California and nationwide. The Investor versus Resident owned brings autonomy and control to a MH community. The Cooperative’s members decide on the rules, rent, services, maintenance and upgrades. There is the security of land ownership. The ROC team helps with documents, assistance with funding, ongoing education, and guidance in both property management and cooperative governance.
Our next speakers, Ken Lynch (HOA President Huntington Harbor Village (HHV)) and Charley Payne (resident HHV) spoke from a local resident owned community viewpoint, HHV in HB. They introduced us to the history and how much work it was to become a resident owned community. These two gentlemen shared their responsibilities from 2011 to the present. Their monthly HOA fee of $258 (maintenance, landscaping, etc) has remained the same for almost 5 years. The last MH sold for $968K and this year co one could sell for a million. HHV (now called a Condo Association) has a lot of pride in being Resident owned.
The rest of the meeting was about future topics for July 24,2023. It was agreed that the board would invite HCD (Housing and Community Development) which governs safety regulations in MHPs to present. It has been about 10 years since the last HB MHP’s inspection in the city and hopefully, this presentation can help us all get prepared for the next one.
After brief Board member remarks the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. The next meeting is July 24, 2023, 5pm, City Hall Room B-8. See you then!
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. with all Board members, City Staff, Grace Yoon-Taylor, and Council liaisons present. There were about 20 members of the public present from various MHPs including Skandia, Del Mar Estates, Huntington by the Sea and Rancho Huntington. Kathy Carrick was sworn as the newest member at large.
The public comments ranged in topic from the need for Zoom to return as an alternative to attending in person, so our members can participate in the meeting, the need for the Market Rate Study, a question about a Board member not residing in HB as required for all other Boards and a request for an apology for a Board member’s remarks at the last meeting.
After a bit of wrangling, a new Ad-Hoc Committee was formed (Miller, Chase, Talley) to search for and implement ways to help MH resident owners other than rent. It will be very exciting to see what ideas come that are fresh and new.
Megan Kerkorian, CaliROC, presented on Resident Owned Communities in California and nationwide. The Investor versus Resident owned brings autonomy and control to a MH community. The Cooperative’s members decide on the rules, rent, services, maintenance and upgrades. There is the security of land ownership. The ROC team helps with documents, assistance with funding, ongoing education, and guidance in both property management and cooperative governance.
Our next speakers, Ken Lynch (HOA President Huntington Harbor Village (HHV)) and Charley Payne (resident HHV) spoke from a local resident owned community viewpoint, HHV in HB. They introduced us to the history and how much work it was to become a resident owned community. These two gentlemen shared their responsibilities from 2011 to the present. Their monthly HOA fee of $258 (maintenance, landscaping, etc) has remained the same for almost 5 years. The last MH sold for $968K and this year co one could sell for a million. HHV (now called a Condo Association) has a lot of pride in being Resident owned.
The rest of the meeting was about future topics for July 24,2023. It was agreed that the board would invite HCD (Housing and Community Development) which governs safety regulations in MHPs to present. It has been about 10 years since the last HB MHP’s inspection in the city and hopefully, this presentation can help us all get prepared for the next one.
After brief Board member remarks the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. The next meeting is July 24, 2023, 5pm, City Hall Room B-8. See you then!
HB City Council
The City of Huntington Beach is the only Charter City that bans any form of rent control (in Section 803 of the City Charter). This was initiated years ago by a group of park owners and developers and passed by a small number of voters. Since 2020 the MHAB has worked to convince the City Council to remove Section 803, to no avail. We also convinced the MHAB to recommend the City Council fund a modestly-priced study of MHP resident owners. Again no dice. We were told finding out who we are and what we’re up against would lead to rent control.
Now the City Council may be considering disbanding the MHAB which is our only representation in city government. City Council members continue to take large donations from park owners and their lobbyists and then do their bidding.
When will our elected officials consider us – hard-working MHC homeowners including young families, disabled, low-income, and seniors on a fixed incomes? When will they approve a Housing Plan that attempts to help city workers to actually live in Huntington Beach?
City Council Links
The City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Unless otherwise announced, the meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at 2000 Main Street and typically begin at 4 P.M. with a study session or closed session meeting. The open session portion of the City Council meeting starts at approximately 6 P.M. and can be viewed on cable television on channel 3.
Council meetings are webcast live and also archived on the City's website. See below for links to see MHRC in action.
The Public Comments portion of the meeting is at the beginning of the meeting. During Public Comments anyone may address the City Council on any issue for a maximum of three minutes.
The City Council meetings are rebroadcast on the city’s cable television station (HBTV) on Tuesday at 10am and Wednesday at 6pm.
In Person
City of HB
2000 Main St. City Council Chambers (lower level)
For more information visit: https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council
Now the City Council may be considering disbanding the MHAB which is our only representation in city government. City Council members continue to take large donations from park owners and their lobbyists and then do their bidding.
When will our elected officials consider us – hard-working MHC homeowners including young families, disabled, low-income, and seniors on a fixed incomes? When will they approve a Housing Plan that attempts to help city workers to actually live in Huntington Beach?
City Council Links
The City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Unless otherwise announced, the meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at 2000 Main Street and typically begin at 4 P.M. with a study session or closed session meeting. The open session portion of the City Council meeting starts at approximately 6 P.M. and can be viewed on cable television on channel 3.
Council meetings are webcast live and also archived on the City's website. See below for links to see MHRC in action.
The Public Comments portion of the meeting is at the beginning of the meeting. During Public Comments anyone may address the City Council on any issue for a maximum of three minutes.
The City Council meetings are rebroadcast on the city’s cable television station (HBTV) on Tuesday at 10am and Wednesday at 6pm.
In Person
City of HB
2000 Main St. City Council Chambers (lower level)
For more information visit: https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council
August, 2023
RUMOR HAS IT!
Members of the public in Huntington Beach (HB) have heard a rumor that the city’s Mobile Home Advisory Board (MHAB) may not be long for this world. The MHAB was formed years ago by the City Council to (a) ensure the quality of life in mobile home (MH) parks
and to review matters concerning mobile home parks in the City of Huntington Beach through healthy communication with park owners, manufactured home owners and the City Council; and (b) to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters concerning the mobile home community.
What has the MHAB done for residents? Mobile homeowners in HB represent nearly 3000 residents, primarily seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and low-and moderate-income families of all ages. Over the years the MHAB has presented information to the public on new legislation affecting MHs, homeowners’ insurance, permits and inspections, surviving a disaster, buying one’s own MH park, the Mobilehome Residency Law, and many other topics.
How has the MHAB helped residents? The MHAB has also been the agency MH residents approach to voice their concerns about unscrupulous park owners, unfair city ordinances, and their needs for more assistance. MHAB has helped get a lease extended for the city-owned MH park, provided funds for some low-income families to get rental assistance, and helped residents bring their homes up to code. It is the only place where MH residents and park owners can voice their concerns and be on the public record.
How has the City Council failed us? In the past year the MHAB members recommended to the City Council that it approve (1) removal of MHs from the city’s ban on rent control under Section 803 of the City Charter and (2) develop a city-wide MH market study to better understand this constituency. Both recommendations, approved and recommended by the MHAB were turned down by the City Council. Public records show Thousands of Dollars in contributions by MH park owners and their lobbyists to the four new City Council members!
HB City Council has now appointed a group of three members to determine which Committees, Boards, and Commissions will be erased from our local city structure.
Please sign our electronic letter to alert the HB City Council and the MHAB and to express your dissatisfaction with any potential disbanding of the MHAB.
Link To Our Electronic Letter
and to review matters concerning mobile home parks in the City of Huntington Beach through healthy communication with park owners, manufactured home owners and the City Council; and (b) to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters concerning the mobile home community.
What has the MHAB done for residents? Mobile homeowners in HB represent nearly 3000 residents, primarily seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and low-and moderate-income families of all ages. Over the years the MHAB has presented information to the public on new legislation affecting MHs, homeowners’ insurance, permits and inspections, surviving a disaster, buying one’s own MH park, the Mobilehome Residency Law, and many other topics.
How has the MHAB helped residents? The MHAB has also been the agency MH residents approach to voice their concerns about unscrupulous park owners, unfair city ordinances, and their needs for more assistance. MHAB has helped get a lease extended for the city-owned MH park, provided funds for some low-income families to get rental assistance, and helped residents bring their homes up to code. It is the only place where MH residents and park owners can voice their concerns and be on the public record.
How has the City Council failed us? In the past year the MHAB members recommended to the City Council that it approve (1) removal of MHs from the city’s ban on rent control under Section 803 of the City Charter and (2) develop a city-wide MH market study to better understand this constituency. Both recommendations, approved and recommended by the MHAB were turned down by the City Council. Public records show Thousands of Dollars in contributions by MH park owners and their lobbyists to the four new City Council members!
HB City Council has now appointed a group of three members to determine which Committees, Boards, and Commissions will be erased from our local city structure.
Please sign our electronic letter to alert the HB City Council and the MHAB and to express your dissatisfaction with any potential disbanding of the MHAB.
Link To Our Electronic Letter
May 2023
“Higher Rents — More Tents”
This was the rallying cry of members of the Mobile Home Resident Coalition (MHRC) who gathered outside of Huntington Beach City Hall on May 2. The mobile homeowners had placed their hope and efforts into AB1035, the Mobile Home Affordability Act, a statewide bill that places a rent cap on what park owners can charge mobile homeowners for space rent, But the legislation hit a roadblock in April when Buffy Wicks, Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee shelved the bill for a year in light of a lawsuit that could potentially threaten the bill’s implementation. With Wicks’ decision, and without any rent stabilization ordinance in the city, coalition members gathered to call attention to the city council’s proposed opposition to AB1035 and their unwillingness to do anything to assist the 7000 constituents – mainly seniors, veterans and lower income families — many of whom now face continued skyrocketing rents and a very real risk of homelessness.
April 2023
Delayed, Not Defeated!
Mobile home owners have three bills we’ve been supporting:
All three bills have suffered at the hands of legislators.
Click here for more details.
WE CANNOT GIVE UP!
- AB 318 (Addis), the Mobilehome Residency Law Protection Act, would extend the program by three years. This program helped resolve complaints from homeowners when park owners violated the MRL.
- AB 1035 (Muratsuchi), the Mobilehome Affordability Act, would have protected lower-income and seniors on fixed incomes from losing their mobile homes as rents across the state skyrocketed. The legislation would have capped mobile home space rents from increasing more than 3% plus the percentage of change in cost of living, or 5% annually, whichever is lower. Additionally, it would not have preempted any local ordinance that offered even stronger protections for renters.
- SB 567 (Durazo), the Homelessness Prevention Act, would reduce the state rent caps from 10% to 5% for all renters. It also contained provisions to prevent landlords from evicting for “substantial repairs” but then immediately renting to new people at higher rents. It also included enforcement provisions.
All three bills have suffered at the hands of legislators.
Click here for more details.
WE CANNOT GIVE UP!
Huntington Beach Mobile Home Park History
Huntington Beach has 17 Mobile Home (MH) Parks (9 are senior parks) with 2,865
spaces = approx. 7,000 people, most of whom are registered voters. All of the
parks are potentially at risk due to conglomerate buyouts and predatory
practices.
In the last 10 years, 8 out of 17 mobile home parks in Huntington Beach have
been purchased by investment firms who immediately raised rents, causing many
residents to either sell or abandon their homes, some becoming homeless.
In the last few years, the purchase of MH Parks by investment firms have become
a national emergency, per U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Committee testimony of March 31, 2022.
Huntington Beach MH residents have asked City Council to adopt the
recommendation of its Mobile Home Advisory Board to place a measure on the
ballot to amend the City Charter Section 803 to allow a Rent Stabilization
Ordinance for MH Parks.
spaces = approx. 7,000 people, most of whom are registered voters. All of the
parks are potentially at risk due to conglomerate buyouts and predatory
practices.
In the last 10 years, 8 out of 17 mobile home parks in Huntington Beach have
been purchased by investment firms who immediately raised rents, causing many
residents to either sell or abandon their homes, some becoming homeless.
In the last few years, the purchase of MH Parks by investment firms have become
a national emergency, per U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs
Committee testimony of March 31, 2022.
Huntington Beach MH residents have asked City Council to adopt the
recommendation of its Mobile Home Advisory Board to place a measure on the
ballot to amend the City Charter Section 803 to allow a Rent Stabilization
Ordinance for MH Parks.