11 Nov San Pablo Seniors Want Help With Rising Rents

(Image courtesy of city of San Pablo via Bay City News)

By Samantha Kennedy 

Several San Pablo seniors are calling on the city to enact rent stabilization policies for mobile home parks after facing increases that they say many can’t afford, but officials suggested the solution was at the state level. 

Seniors at a local mobile home park owned by Harmony Communities came to the council on Nov. 3 after receiving rent increases between 30% and more than 100%, according to the residents.

Residents said seniors live on a fixed income and, with uncertainties and price increases around healthcare and CalFresh, the state’s version of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, said they can’t afford a rent increase.

“With fixed incomes, we can’t afford or absorb that increase,” said Linda Jackson, one of those seniors. “On many levels, mobile home owners are not protected. We are just struggling to make a difference here with inflation and the government shutdown.”

Council members did not directly address the seniors, but Vice Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado and council member Abel Pineda later shared that more could be done to support seniors and residents living in mobile home parks. 

Support that, they said, should come from the state level. 

“I wish we lived in a better state,” said Pabon-Alvarado. “When I hear people coming in and saying, ‘We can’t afford the increase,’ — and these are senior citizens — I just don’t understand why. We see so much money being poured into these different programs. It’s heartbreaking to me.” 

California does not have a state law that regulates rent increases for mobile home owners or renters, but several local jurisdictions, such as Contra Costa County and the city of Concord, have enacted their own. 

Concord’s ordinance allows rent increases for mobile home parks up to 80% of the consumer price index, with a 5% cap. 

In San Pablo, seven mobile home parks are housed in the city totaling more than 450 spaces, according to data from the city. 

Pineda, whose mother lives in a mobile home park, said that her experience has brought issues to his attention. 

“I feel like something is falling short,” said Pineda. 

Pineda and Pabon-Alvardo both made their comments after a presentation from state Sen. Jesse Arreguín that addressed his priorities and accomplishments, including those related to housing. 

Pabon-Alvardo questioned if there was a way to redirect funding from projects to resources for senior citizens, and Pineda said the moment provided a later “opportunity for a greater conversation.” 

Council members earlier this year pushed back on later pursuing rental protections like rent stabilization and instead opted for more education for renters.

For the record

Due to a typographical error, a previous version of this story said San Pablo has more than 750 spaces for mobile homes. The appropriate figure is more than 450 spaces. It has been corrected.