(SANTA ROSA, CA)  Flanked by supporters at City Hall, Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, announced her authorship of legislation to regulate conversion of mobile home parks to condominiums.

“Mobile home park owners across the state are converting their properties into condos,” says Evans.  “This is driving seniors and working families from low-income rentals.  My bill gives local governments and residents the ability to stop this.”

Assembly Bill 1542 closes a loophole in current law allowing mobile home park owners to use conversion as a strategy for avoiding local rent control ordinances.  The bill will permit conversions, but would also allow local governments to protect their affordable housing stock.

“My bill strikes a balance between an outright ban and no regulation at all,” adds Evans.

Current law allows a mobile home park to be subdivided into residential ownership.  The law was written to give mobile home residents the opportunity to purchase the land on which they live.  But there are no safeguards to ensure that conversion serves the public interest.

If one parcel in a mobile home park is sold, the phase-out of rent control begins for the remaining park residents.  After 4 years, spaces will be rented at the market rate.  This means that a space rented at $600/month today could be rented for $1,000 to $1,500 down the road.

“Mobile homes are an extremely valuable resource to provide affordable housing,” adds Evans.  “But local governments have no recourse to stop conversions which decrease a community’s supply of affordable housing.  My bill will give them the tools they need.”

AB 1542 is sponsored by the City of Santa Rosa.  It is also supported by the Sonoma Housing Advocacy Group, the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, and local governments across the state.  It is co-authored by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and Senator Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro).

Further information about this legislation will be available online at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.