Help for Mobile Home Residents

In two related stories in the Jan. 9 Los Angeles Times on Huntington Beach’s buying out Driftwood Mobile Home Park residents (“City OKs Limited Buyout of Coaches”) and Laguna Beach’s continuing support of the Treasure Island residents (“Laguna Mobile-Home Protection Law OKd”), I am glad to see city governments beginning to support mobile-home park residents.

Having lived in a mobile home for five years before “escaping,” I know well the feeling of being trapped--owning but not being able to sell due to high rents, unfavorable conditions of parks and, in some cases, park owners blocking sale after sale to take advantage of desperate sellers.

The majority of mobile-home park residents are not wealthy; they generally are retired, many living on fixed incomes, some single or couples with small children who are being taxed into oblivion and their only chance of owning in Orange County is a lower-priced mobile home.

Many don’t have a clue what they’re getting into until the deed is done. The mortgage interest is deductible, but the hundreds of dollars in monthly park rent is not, except for a modest renter’s credit.

As far as living conditions, in the park in which I lived, I was required to get written permission from the management to redo my yard, trim my trees, put up a TV antenna, fix my porch, repair my roof, most of which were upgrades that ultimately benefited the park. Further, the park required it approve contractors I used.

The electric power was insufficient so lights would frequently flicker; I could not use a toaster and iron at the same time; the water would be arbitrarily turned off without prior notice and with little or no estimate as to how long that would last; the sewers backed up; the park would flood; I could go on and on.

I am glad I was able to get out, but have not forgotten the impossible living conditions I experienced.

It is past time for our municipal, state and federal legislators to take notice of mobile-home residents and, in the current climate of increasing taxes, provide support to these people.

DIANNE CANTOR, Huntington Beach