While there is a compelling argument to make that the entire state of California is one giant local rent control hotspot, the Southeast Los Angeles region has become one of its major contributors. So much so that the Los Angeles Times published a story, “Southeast L.A. County cities enact rent control to keep residents housed.” The story chronicles a recent trend in the Los Angeles Gateway Cities that enacted local rent control ordinances in Bell Gardens, Cudahy, and Maywood. 

It is critically important to note that mobilehome parks did not ignite the rent control fires in each of these cities. However, in situations like these, mobilehome parks are often collateral damage. Typically, apartment tenants complain about rents, and city councils move forward with a draft ordinance that does not include mobilehome parks. 

And in all cases (except Maywood, which does not have mobilehome parks), this was true in Bell Gardens and Cudahy. Flying under the radar and not shining a light on mobilehome parks is the typical strategy. However, once discovered, WMA and parkowners jumped into high gear to distinguish themselves from apartments and make the case as a reasonable home ownership opportunity provider.

Sometimes, this approach works, but in the case of these two cities, no amount of compelling evidence would have helped. In the last two months, another Southeast Los Angeles city, Paramount, has become a threat to enact mobilehome park rent control. 

In this instance, several local television news outlets aired a story that a new mobilehome parkowner increased rent by 200% for all its residents, which would result in families becoming homeless. WMA and parkowners immediately developed a relationship with the City Manager to work on a non-rent control ordinance solution. WMA and parkowner involvement uncovered more than one side to the story, including the fact that there were never any rent increase notices issued to residents, let alone a 200% increase. 

The next step is for parkowners and WMA to facilitate conversations between the Elijah Park owners and residents to determine how to resolve the current division. Some residents want to leave the park and request relocation fees; others wish to stay, but do not want to be evicted. There will be more to come as this situation continues to unfold. 

Jarryd Gonzales is WMA’s Regional Representative for Central/Southern California, and may be reached at jarryd@goodgroup.com.