( SACRAMENTO , CA )  The Assembly Committee on Appropriations passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, to regulate the conversion of mobile home parks from rentals to resident ownership.

Assembly Bill 1542 passed on party lines with most Democrats in support.  It now moves forward for a vote on the Assembly Floor.

“I’m optimistic about this moving forward,” says Evans.  “People in Sacramento recognize that reforms are necessary to give local governments and residents the ability to fight back if a conversion will drive seniors and working families from their mobile homes.”

AB 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.

“Conversions need some regulation to protect our community and others across the state,” 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 for local governments to ensure that conversions serve 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 can 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 provide affordable housing to seniors and working families,” concludes Evans.  “Without this bill, we will lose a lot of affordable housing in California .”

AB 1542 is sponsored by the City of Santa Rosa .  It is also supported by the County of Sonoma , the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, the Sonoma Housing Advocacy Group, the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, and local governments across the state.