Senior disabled Veteran files lawsuit to enforce the Humboldt County Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance

A long-time mobile home park resident filed suit to enforce the Humboldt County Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
The Ordinance limits rent increases that mobile home parks can impose on residents.  It was enacted by the Humboldt County voters in 2016.   

The plaintiff is Bobby Davis, a senior, disabled Veteran who has lived in Eureka Mobile Village for more than 15 years.

In January 2018, Mr. Davis received notice that his rent would increase by almost 13%, which is 10% more than the increase permitted by the Ordinance. 

The Ordinance protects mobile home park residents, many of whom, like Mr. Davis, have low incomes and limited housing options, while allowing mobile home parks to receive a fair return on rents. The Ordinance allows parks to automatically increase rent each year by the Consumer Price index, and allows park owners to petition the County to increase rents in certain circumstances.  The permitted automatic rent increase for 2018 was 3%.

This lawsuit, Davis v. Eureka Housing Partners I et al., alleges that the Park’s rent increase violates the Ordinance and is an unlawful business practice under California’s Unfair Competition Law.  Mr. Davis seeks to invalidate the rent increase and to recoup the excess rent he has paid in violation of the Ordinance. 

Mr. Davis states, “The increase is so high that I cannot continue to afford it because my housing cost is almost half of my monthly check.  It doesn’t leave me money for anything else I want to do, like buy my food or fix my home.” 

Gregory M. Holtz, an attorney for Mr. Davis, said, “Humboldt County voters enacted Measure V to protect mobile home park residents like Mr. Davis.  This action attempts to enforce the will of the voters and protect Mr. Davis from unfair rent hikes like the one he experienced.”  Mr. Davis is represented by Gregory M. Holtz and S. Lynn Martinez of Legal Services of Northern California.